George Floyd: Chauvin conviction a giant step forward, says Biden

US President Joe Biden has said the conviction of a former police officer in the killing of George Floyd “can be a giant step forward in the march toward justice in America”.

This was after the US jury found Derek Chauvin, a former police officer guilty of murder over the death of African-American George Floyd on a Minneapolis street last year.

In a phone call with Mr Floyd’s family after the verdict was announced, the president was heard saying: “At least now there is some justice.”

In televised remarks shortly afterwards, Mr Biden said that such a verdict was “much too rare”.

“We can’t leave this moment or look away thinking our work is done. We have to look at it as we did for those nine minutes and 29 seconds,” he said.

But he warned: “We can’t stop here”.

Derek Chauvin, 45, was filmed kneeling on Mr Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes during his arrest last May.

The widely watched footage sparked worldwide protests against racism and excessive use of force by police.

He was found guilty on Tuesday of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter.

His bail was immediately revoked and he was placed in custody. Sentencing is likely to happen in two months, and Chauvin could spend decades in jail.

In Minnesota, second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. Third-degree murder is punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Second-degree manslaughter is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Chauvin is expected to appeal against the verdict.

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