Derek Chauvin has been charged with murder in the second degree, murder in the third degree, and manslaughter in the second degree for the murder of George Floyd. The trial took place in the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis from March 29th until April 20th where Chauvin was tried by the State of Minnesota.

Last year, on the 25th of May, George Floyd was suspected of using counterfeit bills. While being arrested, officer Chauvin pinned his knee to Floyds neck for more than eight minutes which resulted in the murder of George Floyd. After this tragic event, society came together in protest of police brutality and the injustice that the black community experiences.

“It shouldn’t have taken so long. Every officer should be held accountable because they all just stood by and watched. They are just as guilty,” argued Eric Hernandez(‘22).

Chauvin was not the only officer at the scene. According to National Public Radio, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, will be going to trial in August. They charged with aiding and abetting unintentional second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. They could be facing a 40 year sentence.

Prosecutor Steve Schleicher stated in a CBS News Article, “This case is exactly what you thought when you first saw it — when you first saw the video,” he said. “It’s exactly that. It’s exactly what you saw with your eyes. It’s exactly what you knew. It’s exactly what you felt in your gut. It’s what you now know in your heart. This wasn’t policing, this was murder.”

Society questions the trust they put into police when incidents like this happen. The Preuss community felt relieved that Chauvin has been found guilty for multiple counts because it brings justice to the community.

Mariana Arevalo (‘22) explained, “George Floyd has received the justice he deserves and after all the tremendous winds about whether Chauvin would be convicted, justice came to serve and he was sentenced. Many of us could not be more at peace that justice has been served, but there is still more to go. George Floyd can rest at peace now and the fight for justice and equality will continue.”

Derek Chauvin will be sentenced on June 25th and is facing up to 70 years in prison if the judge gives him a maximum sentence.

“Many more have not found justice, and it is up to us to be their voice,” urged Mariana Arevalo (‘22).