“Thank You God”: Nation Breathes Sigh of Relief as Derek Chauvin Is Actually Held Accountable for Murdering George Floyd

For an hour on Tuesday, it felt like the entire country stopped what it was doing to collectively wait for the Derek Chauvin verdict to come in. Long used to cops escaping accountability for violence against Black people, the fact that there was literal footage of the former Minneapolis police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, for nine minutes and 29 seconds last May, didn’t seem like it would necessarily be enough to ensure that he would be found guilty of one or any of the charges he faced. But then it actually happened: Second-degree murder: guilty. Third-degree murder: guilty. Second-degree manslaughter: guilty.

Not surprisingly, the reaction was palpable relief, with the phrase “THANK YOU GOD” trending on Twitter:

Also trending: “BAIL REVOKED” and “ROT IN HELL”:

In a sign of how incontrovertible the evidence against Chauvin was, even Fox News’ Jeanine Pirro wholeheartedly agreed with the outcome, saying: “Clearly the verdict is supported by the facts. This case was extremely unusual. I’ve tried many murder cases and I’ve sat as a judge on murder cases. It is rare that you even get a picture of the victim in a murder case other than maybe an autopsy photo. But here we had a living, breathing person that the jury was able to relate to every day, day after day, watching the trauma of what he went through, begging for air, begging to breathe. This was an emotional as well as an intellectual decision, and when I say that, make no mistake, the facts are solid on this verdict—this verdict will be upheld on appeal.”

Still, as Minnesota attorney general Keith Ellison said Tuesday afternoon, actual justice would be Black people not having to worry in the first place about being murdered by the police in broad daylight. “I would not call today’s verdict justice, however, because justice implies true restoration,“ he said. “But it is accountability, which is the first step towards justice. George Floyd mattered. He mattered because he was a human being and there is no way we can turn away from the reality. This verdict reminds us how hard it is to make enduring change.“

Reminder: Chauvin might’ve gotten off if not for a quick-thinking 17-year-old

Nancy Pelosi delivers wildly bizarre statement on outcome of the case

Chauvin could go to prison for dozens of years

Which seems appropriate, given the fact that he murdered someone. Per The New York Times:

How much prison time Mr. Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd, will have to serve will not be decided until several weeks from now, after a pre-sentencing report about Mr. Chauvin’s background is produced. Judge Peter A. Cahill will also have to determine whether there were special circumstances of the crime that would justify a lengthier sentence than the prison terms laid out by Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines.

Because Mr. Chauvin has no criminal history, the sentencing guidelines for each of the murder charges is 12.5 years. But the maximum sentences for each charge differ: Second-degree murder could mean as long as 40 years in prison, while the maximum for third-degree murder is 25 years. Mr. Chauvin is also charged with second-degree manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, but under the guidelines he would most likely be sentenced to four years.

Prior to Chauvin’s conviction, the state had asked for a lengthier sentence should he be found guilty on any of the charges, citing factors including the fact that, as an officer, Chauvin “abused his position of authority,” that the killing happened in view of children, and that Floyd was treated with “particular cruelty” by Chauvin.

Elsewhere!

President Biden calls George Floyd’s family and says evidence for a guilty verdict is “overwhelming.” (NYT)

House rejects GOP attempt to censure Rep. Maxine Waters over remarks about Chauvin trial (Washington Post)

Most Americans who haven’t gotten a vaccine say they don’t plan to, poll shows (Washington Post)

J&J to Resume EU Vaccine Shipments After Review of Clot Risk (Bloomberg)

Biden plans to cut emissions at least in half by 2030 (Washington Post)