Live

Derek Chauvin verdict reactions

A jury found the former police officer guilty in the death of George Floyd.

Last Updated: April 22, 2021, 3:52 PM EDT

People across the United States responded to the guilty verdict that was reached in the murder trial of former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin, who was charged in the death of George Floyd.

Chauvin was found guilty on all counts.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing today. All times Eastern.
Apr 20, 2021, 7:11 PM EDT

Biden, Harris call George Floyd's family

Attorney Ben Crump shared a video of President Joe Biden's call to the family of George Floyd following the guilty verdict. 

"Nothing is going to make it all better, but at least now there is some justice," the president said, as the family gathered around Crump's phone.

"I think of Gianna's comment, 'My daddy is going to change the world, he's going to start to change it now," Biden said, referring to Floyd's young daughter. 

Biden said he and Vice President Kamala Harris have been watching "every second of this," and they were relieved Chauvin was found guilty on all three counts.

"We're going to get a lot more done, we're going to do a lot," Biden said. "We're going to stay at it till we get it done."

To that, Crump said, "Hopefully this is the momentum for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to get passed to have you sign!"  

"You got it pal, that and a lot more," Biden replied. "This can be our first shot at dealing with genuine systemic racism."

Biden then turned the phone over to Harris.

"I'm just so thankful to the entire family, your courage ... your strength," Harris said. 

"This is a day of justice in America," Harris said. "We really do believe that with your leadership and the president that we have in the White House, that we're going to make something good come out of this tragedy, OK?"

"Thank you, Madam Vice President," the family said.

Biden promised to bring the family to the White House on Air Force One "when we do it."

"We're going to hold you to that, President Biden!" Crump shouted. 

ABC News' Sarah Kolinovsky contributed to this report.

Apr 20, 2021, 7:58 PM EDT

George Floyd’s brother: ‘Today, we’re able to breathe again’

Philonise Floyd reacted to the guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin.
2:50

George Floyd’s brother: ‘Today, we’re able to breathe again’

Philonise Floyd reacted to the guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin.
ABCNews.com

George Floyd's brother says he's "able to breathe again" after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three counts for Floyd's death.

"I feel relieved," one of his brothers, Philonise Floyd, said at a Tuesday news conference. "A lot of days I prayed and I hoped and I was speaking everything into existence. I said, 'I have faith that he will be convicted.'"

Click here to read more.

Apr 20, 2021, 6:55 PM EDT

Senate Judiciary Committee announces police reform hearing

U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, said in a statement that he plans to hold a hearing on police reform next month, citing the Floyd case.

"The verdict of this jury gives me hope that we can strive for a system of justice in our nation that is applied equally to all," he said in a statement.

"As Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I have the forum and the means to help move our nation nearer to that goal."

-ABC News' Trish Turner

Apr 20, 2021, 6:48 PM EDT

Teen who filmed viral video of arrest: 'George Floyd we did it'

The teenager who filmed George Floyd's arrest and testified in court reacted after Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all three charges in his death.

"I just cried so hard," Darnella Frazier, 18, said in a social media post shortly after the verdict was announced. "This last hour my heart was beating so fast, I was so anxious."

"George Floyd we did it!!" she said. "Justice has been served."

Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in an image from the video during arrest of George Floyd, May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis.
Darnella Frazier via Storyful

Frazier, a high school student, was walking to Cup Foods with her 9-year-old cousin to buy some snacks on May 25, 2020, when they witnessed police officers pinning down Floyd.

Frazier said she immediately began recording the incident with her cellphone.

"He was in pain," Frazier said of Floyd during her testimony the first week of the trial. "It seemed like, he knew ... he knew it was over for him. He was terrified. He was suffering. This was a cry for help."

During her emotional, tearful testimony, Frazier said she has spent nights agonizing over what she saw.

"I stayed up apologizing and apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more and not physically interacting, not saving his life," she testified.

ABC News' Bill Hutchinson contributed to this report.

Related Topics