Live updates: Derek Chauvin found guilty in George Floyd’s death

The updates on this story stopped at 9 p.m. EDT.

Civil rights investigation ‘is ongoing’

Attorney General Merrick Garland weighed in on the verdict Tuesday night.

“While the state’s prosecution was successful, I know that nothing can fill the void that the loved ones of George Floyd have felt since his death,” Garland said in a statement.

He added that a federal civil rights investigation into George Floyd’s death “is ongoing.”

Biden addresses nation following verdict

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the nation Tuesday following the guilty verdicts against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd.

“’I can’t breathe.’ Those were George Floyd’s last words,” Biden said. “We cannot let them die with him. We have to keep hearing them...

“It was a murder in the full light of day and it ripped the blinders off for the whole world to see ... the systemic racism... a stain on our nation’s soul, the knee on the neck of justice for Black Americans,” Biden continued.

“Most men and women who wear the badge serve their community faithfully,” Biden said, adding that those who fail to uphold that duty must be held accountable. “No one should be above the law and today’s verdicts send that message. But it’s not enough.”

Harris said much work remains to be done on racial injustice in the United States.

“Here’s the truth about racial injustice: It is not just a Black America problem or a people of color problem. It is a problem for every American,” Harris said. “It is holding our nation back from reaching its full potential.”

“We are all a part of George Floyd’s legacy and our job now is to honor it and honor him,” she said.

Floyd family reacts to verdicts

The family of George Floyd expressed relief but also a determination to “keep fighting” for justice after the guilty verdicts against former Chauvin.

“I’m going to put up a fight every day, because I’m not just fighting for George anymore. I’m fighting for everybody around this world,” said brother Philonise Floyd. “It’s been a long journey. Justice for George means freedom for all.”

“‘This is for everyone that’s been held down and pinned down,” said brother Rodney Floyd.

“We said, ‘God, we need justice and we need it now,’ and He answered,” said brother Terrence Floyd.

‘Today we are able to breathe again.’ George Floyd’s family reacts to Chauvin verdict

Biden ‘relieved’ by guilty verdicts

Biden on Tuesday said he was “relieved” that a jury delivered a guilty verdict on all three charges against Chauvin in the Floyd’s death.

“We’re all so relieved, not just one verdict, but all three, guilty on all three counts,” Biden said. He and Harris spoke to the Floyd family by phone shortly after the verdicts were announced.

Biden says guilty verdict for police officer in George Floyd death ‘much too rare’

‘We usually never get justice’

George Floyd’s brother, Philonise, was in the courtroom Tuesday as the guilty verdicts against former Chauvin were read.

Philonise Floyd prayed with his hands clasped as the verdicts were announced, CNN reported. His hands began to shake as the three guilty verdicts came in. Afterward, he hugged prosecutors.

“I was just praying they would find him guilty. As an African American, we usually never get justice,” he told CNN.

‘THANK YOU GOD’: Darnella Frazier, who filmed George Floyd’s death, reacts to verdict

‘A huge day for the world’

Celebrations broke out across Minneapolis and the nation after a jury found former police officer Chauvin guilty of all charges in Floyd’s death.

A crowd gathered in George Floyd Square in Minneapolis cheered and applauded as the verdict was announced Tuesday evening.

“Never doubted it,” Courteney Ross, Floyd’s girlfriend, told a CNN reporter outside the courthouse. “A huge day for the world.”

“Painfully earned justice has finally arrived for George Floyd’s family,” said Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump. “This verdict is a turning point in history and sends a clear message on the need for accountability of law enforcement. Justice for Black America is justice for all of America!”

“For the first time in Minnesota state history, a white police officer has been held accountable for killing a Black man,” the American Civil Liberties Union wrote on Twitter. “True justice would mean George Floyd was never killed in the first place.”

“Today, a jury did the right thing,” said former President Barack Obama in a statement posted to Twitter. “But true justice requires much more. Michelle and I send our prayers to the Floyd family, and we stand with all those who are committed to guaranteeing every American the full measure of justice that George and so many others have been denied.”

“We hope this guilty verdict begins to show that white supremacy will not win,” the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation said in a statement. “But let us also be clear that this still does not bring our loved ones back. We do not get George Floyd back.”

“I would not call today’s verdict justice, however, because justice implies true restoration. But it is accountability, which is the first step toward justice,” said Michigan Attorney General Keith Ellison.

“I’m thankful for George Floyd’s family that justice was served,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Twitter. “America was forever changed by the video of Derek Chauvin killing George Floyd. However, a guilty verdict doesn’t mean the persistent problem of police misconduct is solved. We’ll keep working for meaningful change.”

Celebration and tears: Reactions pour in after Derek Chauvin found guilty

Guilty verdicts announced

Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd during an arrest.

The jury deliberated 10 hours over two days before reaching a verdict Tuesday.

Judge Peter Cahill revoked Chauvin’s bail and remanded him to the custody of the sheriff’s department.

“I have to thank you on behalf of the people of Minnesota for not only jury service, but heavy duty jury service,” Cahill told the jury.

Chauvin looked baffled as the verdicts were read. Clapping and cheers could be heard in the street outside the courthouse. A sentencing hearing was set in eight weeks.

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Biden praying for ‘right verdict’

Biden said earlier Tuesday he’s praying for the “right verdict” in the case against former Minneapolis officer Chauvin, who is accused of murder in Floyd’s death.

“I’m praying the verdict is the right verdict,” Biden said. “Which is — I think it is overwhelming in my view.”

Biden made his remarks after the jury had been sequestered for its deliberations.

Biden says he’s praying for the ‘right verdict’ as Chauvin jury deliberates case

The trial

Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died while in police custody on May 25, and his death sparked an avalanche of protests across the nation. He died after Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer who is white, pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, as three other officers didn’t intervene.

A 17-year-old bystander took video of the incident, in which Floyd can be heard saying, “Please, please, please, I can’t breathe.”

Chauvin faced charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. His trial opened March 29, and the case went to the jury for deliberations Monday.

Prosecutors argued that Chauvin violated police training and procedures, causing Floyd’s death.

“You were told Mr. Floyd died because his heart was too big,” said prosecutor Jerry Blackwell. “The reason George Floyd is dead is because Mr. Chauvin’s heart was too small.”

Defense attorneys argued that Floyd’s death could have been caused by other factors and that Chauvin’s use of force didn’t violate police guidelines.

“The standard is not what should the officer have done,” said defense attorney Eric Nelson. “The standard is what were the facts known to this officer at the exact moment he used force.”

Officers J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao were also fired and arrested, charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

Floyd was arrested after being accused by a store employee of using a counterfeit $20 bill to buy a pack of cigarettes at a Minneapolis grocery store.