PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Words of relief have come from Philadelphians and far beyond the city after a jury has found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of all three counts in the death of George Floyd in May 2020.
He faces a combined sentence of up to 75 years in prison between the three charges, though the sentencing may be made concurrent and for up to 40 years. He is expected to be sentenced in about eight weeks.
Read a timeline of events and how Philadelphia reacted below:
7:52 p.m.
Philadelphia police officers expressed relief through their actions in Center City following the verdict, as KYW's Hadas Kuznits shows.
7:23 p.m.
KYW Newsradio's Andrew Kramer shares the cautious reaction from one business owner in Port Richmond.
Yet for others in that part of the city, there was a scene of calm.
7:02 p.m.
"I'm happy. I'm glad that justice is finally served," a Black mother told KYW Newsradio's Cherri Gregg on 52nd Street after the verdict. Gregg reported that before the verdict, some people were going to stores, quickly getting food to "hunker down" in case the worst happened.
7:00 p.m.
As some Philadelphians took part in a citywide call to prayer after the Derek Chauvin verdict came down, protesters against police brutality spoke with their signs in Center City.
Members of Whosoever Metropolitan Community Church held up signs with quotes from unarmed people, killed by police: including George Floyd, Elijah McClain and Breonna Taylor.
6:51 p.m.
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5 President John McNesby expressed the following words after the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial:
“A verdict was reached today in Minnesota. The criminal justice system worked in this case and the jury’s verdict was fair and just. We call for calm and hope our officers across the city and nation will be safe tonight.”
6:47 p.m.
National Guard members have gone into some Philadelphia municipal buildings in Center City, but KYW Newsradio's Kristen Johanson says that calm and relief have been the main reactions to the verdict.
6:44 p.m.
An official statement from the Philadelphia 76ers after the release of the verdict:
6:04 p.m.
"One step towards justice" is how Mayor Jim Kenney described the result of the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial. He and Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw shared full statements about the verdict.
“Watching the actions (and inactions) of officers at the scene of his death has been enraging and devastating. As a mother, the loss of a child, no matter their age, is a hurt that I hope I never experience," Outlaw said.
"My heart goes out to George Floyd’s family in their time of grief. This verdict will not bring their son back, but I hope they will find some comfort knowing that justice was indeed served."
5:58 p.m.
Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Casey shared his feelings after the guilty verdict was given:
“This verdict is about accountability, but it is not justice. While Derek Chauvin will be held accountable for the murder of George Floyd, it’s not enough. Countless others have died at hands of police because of a broken system that must be reformed. My thoughts are with George Floyd’s family today. True justice will come when Congress passes the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and other measures to begin to right the wrongs created by systemic racism and injustice.”
These words came at the same time that New Jersey Democratic Governor Phil Murphy offered his take:
George Floyd, like countless other Black Americans whose futures have been unjustly stolen from them, should be alive today. While today's verdict provides some measure of justice and accountability for the Floyd family and millions of our fellow Americans, all of us must remember that systemic racism is still pervasive in American life. While we are glad that justice has prevailed in this case, George Floyd’s murder is a painful reminder that inequality has deep roots in American history, starting during slavery and continuing to the present day in areas such as wages, health care, housing, education, and treatment by law enforcement. This has been a trying moment in our nation’s history, but we must be resolute in our fight for justice to ensure that the pain of yesterday, and the pain of today, does not become the pain of tomorrow.
5:56 p.m.
From the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama:
5:54 p.m.
From KYW Newsradio's Cherri Gregg in West Philadelphia, at an epicenter of violence in last year's demonstrations:
5:51 p.m.
KYW Newsradio's Justin Udo takes us inside a Black barbershop, where the Chauvin verdict was the main topic of discussion.
5:41 p.m.
At 52nd and Parkside, KYW Newsradio's Cherri Gregg said that things were peaceful at a shopping plaza which had been heavily damaged during demonstrations in 2020. Businesses were preparing for the worst, but Gregg talked to people who she says were giving a "sigh of relief."
5:30 p.m.
"They were listening to the verdict, and they are smiling," KYW Newsradio's Hadas Kuznits reported about people at Philadelphia City Hall when the verdict was read.
One person who works inside the building said she was "unsure what she was coming out to." Police officers were on scene as a precaution.
5:25 p.m.
"Relieved" is the main word from people whom KYW Newsradio's Cherri Gregg talked to in the minutes after the verdict.
She observed some people in West Philadelphia high-fiving, but more people sighing in relief to the guilty verdict.
Many businesses where Cherri reported from were boarded up in fear of possible violent demonstrations, but many considered this a "best case scenario."
5:17 p.m.
KYW Newsardio's Justin Udo shows how business owners in West Philadelphia are still preparing for possible violent demonstrations after the guilty verdict in the Chauvin case.
5:07 p.m.
From our Audacy sister station, WCCO in Minneapolis:
4:53 p.m.
From KYW's Justin Udo in West Philadelphia:
Original story
The 12 jurors deliberating the case against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin have reached a verdict. Philadelphia was among the major urban centers preparing for protests and demonstrations after the announcement Tuesday afternoon.
Chauvin is charged with second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in connection with the May 2020 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The case comes down to two key questions — whether Chauvin caused Floyd’s death and whether his actions were reasonable — and each charge requires a different element of proof as to Chauvin’s state of mind.
For all three charges, prosecutors had to prove that Chauvin caused Floyd’s death and that his use of force was unreasonable.
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The City of Philadelphia has prepared for protests in the wake of the verdict, including calls for peaceful demonstration and the presence of both Philadelphia Police and National Guard troops.
Many Philadelphia businesses have prepared their storefronts for possible protests in their area.
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“Our city is prepared for whatever the jury decides. We are ready to support our communities and all who want to make their voices heard peacefully. As we await and pray for justice, our thoughts are with the Floyd family, and the families of all Black and Brown Americans killed through police violence,” said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney in a statement.
“The jury’s decision will be a defining moment in our country’s history, but it’s up to all of us to decide what comes next. We decide how we will respond to the verdict and I, along with other community and religious leaders, urge peace and calm. There is more progress to be made when we work together. It’s up to all of us to create real and sustainable change.”
“The Philadelphia Police Department is prepared for any possible civil unrest that may unfold in the wake of the Chauvin verdict. As we have seen in the past, the overwhelming majority of people in our city demonstrate in a peaceful manner. They express themselves in a way that is respectful to others, and is also respectful to our beautiful communities," said Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw.
"However, there is a small percentage of people out there who choose to use these opportunities for personal gain. Let me be clear: unlawful behavior will not be tolerated. The safety of all demonstrators, along with the safety of our residents, business owners, and visitors remains a top priority for the PPD.”
The city's Office of Faith Based and Interfaith Affairs has set 7 p.m. as the time for citywide interfaith prayer in the wake of the verdict.
They are also offering the city's Crisis Line (215-685-6440) for people who need immediate mental help.
This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.