PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The verdict of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was the primary topic on many people’s minds Tuesday evening, as the jury announced guilty verdict on all three counts.
Quiana Pugh of Center City said she was anxiously waiting to hear the Derek Chauvin verdict. She felt a rush of emotion when she heard he was found guilty on all three counts.
“I was home alone screaming at my TV, recording on Instagram. I’m just excited," Pugh said.
Related
The verdict came at the end of Brenda Council’s work day. The West Philadelphia resident says she was scared coming out of her Center City office.
“Because I didn’t know what I was going to walk into, but I do feel relieved that everything is OK and that nothing crazy is happening," Council described.
“Cars are honking and some people seem happy, and other people seem like that’s just another day, but I like the honking cars.”
Related
Cortez Johnson said relief was certainly the theme of the evening.
“Everyone kind of just released a sigh; we were all very anxious," Johnson admitted.
“I was very worried. I mean, I could hear the helicopters above my apartment.“
Despite an increased police presence, he said peace wasn’t guaranteed in Center City.
Related
“If it hadn’t come back all guilties, I think we would’ve had a much different public outcry and everyone was really nervous about that, so I’m glad that we can kind of maintain some peace," Johnson said.
Resident Michael Freeman explained he thinks this case highlights a need for systematic change.
“It’s completely unfair to Americans of color," Freeman said.
Related
Council was also not so optimistic. She said it’ll take more than one case to tackle racism.
“This is just a drop in the bucket compared to everything else that’s going on," Council said.
"We still got a 13-year-old (who) just got shot, then Daunte (Wright). It’s just a whole bunch of stuff, and hopefully it changes something but I don’t know if it will really change.“
But Pugh says this gives the verdict gives hope.
"It pretty much shows that you can be held accountable as a police officer, and it helps every other police officer understand that they can be held accountable," Pugh explained.
"That’s what we needed because a lot of times, we get not guilty.“