Derek Chauvin trial: Verdict reached in George Floyd case

Jurors have reached a verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin.

After deliberating for less than a day, the jury will deliver their decision between 3.30pm and 4.30pm local time Tuesday in Minneapolis.

Jurors have been considering whether the former police officer is guilty or not guilty of the three charges against him for his part in the death of George Floyd in May 2020.

It is not a hung jury — a verdict has been reached on all three counts. The jury did not ask any further questions once they were sequestered to deliberate at 4pm on Monday.

Mr Chauvin is facing charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.

The charges carry potential maximum sentences of 40 years, 25 years, and 10 years or a $20,000 fine, respectively.

The jury is diverse, with four Black members, two mixed-race members, and six White members. Two alternates were dismissed once the 12 went into sequestration.

Read more: Follow live: Jury reaches verdict in Derek Chauvin trial

Over the 15 days of the trial, prosecutors argued that Mr Chauvin ignored his police training and used excessive force against Mr Floyd by by restraining him for up to nine and a half minutes with his knee on his neck before Floyd ultimately died. Chauvin’s defence team argued that Mr Floyd’s history of health issues and drug use led to his death.

There were 45 witnesses in total, 38 from the prosecution and seven from the defence.

Prosecution and defence teams presented almost six hours of closing arguments on Monday.

Prosecutor Steve Schleicher urged jurors to “believe your eyes” and defence attorney Eric Nelson said that the state failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr Chauvin murdered Mr Floyd.

The attorney general of Minnesota will deliver a statement 20 minutes after the verdict is delivered.