MINNEAPOLIS – Fewer than 24 hours after beginning deliberations, the jury returned verdicts of guilty against former police officer Derek Chauvin on all three homicide counts in the suffocation death of George Floyd last May. Chauvin’s eyes darted back and forth from the jurors to the bench as the judge read the verdicts. Chauvin’s expressions were concealed in part by the Covid mask he wore throughout the almost 3-1/2 week trial. Judge Peter Cahill denied further bail for Chauvin and ordered that he be turned over to Hennepin County for jail. Chauvin, in a light gray suit with a pale blue tie,  rose from the defense desk and reflexively put his hands behind his back to be cuffed. He was guided out of the courtroom. by a bailiff. His attorney, Eric Nelson, was at the same desk as Chauvin, but they exchanged nary a word nor a glance. Judge Cahill said sentencing would be in mid-June. The maximum time could be 75 years. Chauvin is 45. The charges:

> Second-degree murder, punishable by 40 years imprisonment.

> Three-degree murder, 25 years.

> Second-degree manslaughter, 10 years.

Earlier: Jury deliberations start with four-hour session

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GEORGE FLOYD MURDER TRIAL

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Judge to jurors

Judge Cahill thanked the jurors for their service. He called it “heavy duty service.”

Streets outside

With an announcement about 3 o’clock that the jury had reached a verdict and would be returning with its conclusion within an hour, a crowd outside the courthouse swelled into the thousands. There was silence as everyone listened by phone as Judge Cahill read the verdicts count by count. Then hugs and tears. There were spontaneous mini-prayer groups. News reporters raced among people with personal stakes in the case, including the Floyd family. There was relief – no more so than among  National Guard soldiers and police who were on duty and  prepared for the worst.