Statement from Attorney General on Derek Chauvin Verdict

April 20, 2021

AUGUSTA - This afternoon, jurors found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all three counts against him in the May 2020 murder of George Floyd. Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey issued the following statement in response to the verdict:

"The guilty verdicts handed down against Derek Chauvin are important in holding him accountable for the murder of George Floyd. As someone who swore an oath to uphold and enforce the law, I recognize that this murder was symbolic of a criminal justice system which far too often enables the killing of unarmed black men. But today's verdict is the outcome of just one case. We must continue to dedicate ourselves to ending the systemic racism that exists throughout our criminal justice system. We have an obligation, especially those of us who work in law enforcement, to pursue a more just system of policing in Maine and across the country."

"I want to recognize the leadership shown by my colleague, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and his team in Minnesota, and I want to thank them for the commitment to justice their efforts demonstrated."

Chauvin was convicted on the following three counts: second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.

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