'We Can't Turn Away': The Chauvin Conviction, And What Comes Next

Plus, remembering George Floyd, the man

by Christopher Dean Hopkins Brandon Bell/Getty Images   Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd on Tuesday in the culmination of a case that sparked nationwide protests. Floyd's family and crowds across the country reacted with joy and relief — but also determination. Floyd's brother Philonise emphasized that the struggle for justice for people of color in the U.S. remains an uphill battle: "We have to march. We will have to do this for life ... because it seems like this is a never-ending cycle." Here's what's next in the case, and how it might change things moving forward. Sentencing, and the next trial Court TV/AP   Derek Chauvin was found guilty of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, had his bail revoked, and is now in custody. State sentencing guidelines recommend 12.5 years in prison for a conviction on unintentional second-degree murder for someone with no criminal history, but prosecutors could seek a sentence up to the maximum of 40 years if there were aggravating factors. Judge Peter Cahill told the court that such factors would be considered over the next two weeks, and that he'll announce his sentencing decision in eight weeks.  Chauvin's team is expected to appeal the verdict. Three other officers on the scene the day of Floyd's death will be tried in the coming months for aiding and abetting Chauvin's crimes. A federal civil rights investigation is ongoing. Newsletter continues after sponsor message The march forward Jose Luis Magana/AFP via Getty Images   Amid celebrations of the verdict, George Floyd's family, politicians and others around the country described it as just one step in a long journey. "Chauvin was not one bad apple," said one Virginia minister. "You have a system that preys on marginalized communities." Speaking from the White House, President Biden said that the conviction was a step forward, but that racism in the U.S. needed to be persistently confronted: "We must not turn away, we can't turn away." Vice President Kamala Harris, in her remarks following the guilty verdict, boosted the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which she said would "hold law enforcement accountable and help build trust between law enforcement and our communities." The bill has been passed by the House, but has a tough fight ahead in the Senate. During the trial, the Minneapolis police chief and many other former colleagues of Derek Chauvin testified against him. That gives activists some hope that "officers will be more willing to intervene when they see their fellow officers engaged in misconduct or abusing someone out on the streets." "I think it's amazing to see police officers willing to cross that blue wall of silence and be willing to speak up about Derek Chauvin's actions," said Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and activist in Minneapolis. With a huge and fragmented law enforcement system, it may take a broad cultural shift within police departments to enact real change. "We do have officers that don't understand the communities that they work in, and that breeds a certain contempt," a former Baltimore police officer told NPR's Martin Kaste. "And that contempt breeds a disregard for the lives of the people that, you know, officers are supposed to be serving and protecting. "And that's how you get a Derek Chauvin." Remembering George Floyd Stephen Maturen/Getty Images   Friends and family want to make sure George Floyd is remembered for his life before he became a catalyst. “I used to mess with him, I’d say, ‘Oh man, you ain’t nothing but a big old gentle giant,’ ” said Wallace White, who worked with the 6-foot-7 Floyd at the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, a homeless outreach center on the fringe of downtown Minneapolis. “I never knew George to be anything but a kindhearted man.” Friends say Floyd, who worked as a security guard with White, was easygoing and gentle toward the people who sought help at the center and were desperate to get their life back on track. White said Floyd naturally could see eye to eye with them — he’d joined a network of fellow Houston transplants in Minneapolis, who helped get him through drug treatment, find a job and start over. Floyd told White he was grateful to have the chance to help others, and to leave his troubles behind. Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy