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The jury has reached a verdict in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd.
The 45-year-old former police officer is accused of restraining Mr Floyd for up to nine and a half minutes during an arrest and causing the 46-year-old’s death in the custody of Minneapolis police.
The outcome of the trial – and arguably the future of US policing – has been decided by a jury of 12 after 15 days in the courtroom in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The city, which was the location of the death of Mr Floyd in May 2020, is bracing itself for the verdict, with the trial having been regarded as one of the most important civil rights cases in a generation.
What charges is Mr Chauvin facing?
Mr Chauvin is facing charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
Second-degree murder, the most serious of the charges, carries a maximum prison sentence of 40 years in Minnesota. If jurors feel that Mr Chauvin did cause the death of Mr Floyd – unintentionally or intentionally – the former officer could spend the rest of his life in jail.
Third-degree murder carries a sentence of no more than 25 years, and/or a fine of no more than $40,000 (£28,596) as a death caused by “an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life”.
A third offence, of second-degree manslaughter, is the lowest of the offences facing the former officer, carrying a sentence of up to 10 years, and a possible fine of no more than $20,000 (£14,298).
With no criminal record before the trial, it is likely that Mr Chauvin would serve just over 12 years for second or third-degree murder if the jury decides to convict. There is also the chance that the jury offers no conviction of Mr Chauvin for the death of Mr Floyd.
How long will it take to deliver a verdict?
Jurors have now reached a verdict, the Hennepin County Court has announced. It is expected to be made public shortly.
Following the resting of the defence by lawyers for Mr Chauvin on Thursday, the judge told jurors to expect a lengthy deliberation. Judge Peter Cahill told the twelve individuals that “If I were you, I would plan for long and hope for short,” adding: “whether it’s an hour or a week – it’s entirely within your province”.
Jurors were given laptops and access to the evidence presented by both sides in the case as they deliberated.
A jury took 11 hours to convict former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor of the 2017 killing of Justine Ruszczyk in 2017, according to MPR. The officer received a verdict of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter – but not the more serious offence of second-degree murder.
Could there be a hung jury?
Yes, although it is reportedly uncommon. LaJune Lange, a retired judge, told news outlet KARE 11 that it is “not that common,” and that the judge in Mr Chauvin’s trial could ask the jury to reconsider if it is the case.
“So it would not be a short process,” Ms Lange told the outlet. “That might be several days of deliberation before a jury would be brought into a judge saying that they have not been able to reach a unanimous verdict.”
In this case, it could take weeks for a verdict from the jury.
What happens if Mr Chauvin is acquitted?
If Mr Chauvin is found not guilty on all three charges, he will walk out of the courtroom a free man.
No conviction or a conviction of manslaughter will likely result in protests in the city, almost 12 months after demonstrations were ignited by the video of Mr Chauvin holding Mr Floyd down on the ground.
Following the fatal shooting of another Black man in Minneapolis last Sunday, 20-year-old Daunte Wright, tensions in the city have only increased since the start of the trial.
Photographs have shown buildings throughout the city boarded-up in preparation for possible unrest across the area and thousands of Minnesota National Guard troops on deployment.
What happens if Mr Chauvin is convicted?
If the former police officer is convicted on any of the three counts, he will be immediately taken into custody.
“Right from the courtroom, he will go to jail and he will be held in jail until sentencing. If there is a prison sentence, which of course there would be, he would go to prison,” attorney Joe Tamburino told WCCO.
Each count carries a different maximum sentence: 40 years for second-degree unintentional murder, 25 years for third-degree murder, and 10 years for second-degree manslaughter.
A conviction of second or third-degree murder will likely result in celebrations among campaigners and activists of police reform. Crucially for campaigners, with few cases of police officers in the US being charged or convicted over deaths in custody, the outcome could implicate officers for future incidents.
Under Minnesota sentencing guidelines, for a person with no criminal history, each murder charge carries a presumptive sentence of 12 and a half years in prison, while manslaughter has a presumptive sentence of four years.
However, prosecutors are also seeking a sentence that goes above the guideline range citing several aggravating factors. If jurors convict Mr Chauvin, it’s expected they will hear arguments about these aggravating factors and decide whether he should receive an increased sentence.
Additional reporting by the Associated Press
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