Columbus, state leaders react to guilty verdict in Derek Chauvin trial
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Minutes after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty in the death of George Floyd, Ohio and Columbus leaders began to share their thoughts on the verdict.
After deliberating for about 10 hours, a jury found Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter in Floyd's death, which sparked worldwide protests, violence, and reexaminations of racism and policing.
Gov. Mike DeWine released a statement saying the nation must learn from the death of Floyd.
“A jury in Minneapolis has spoken by convicting Derek Chauvin of second and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. Our system of justice worked. The jury members listened to both sides, weighed the evidence, and came to this verdict. As we go forward as a nation, we must learn from the tragic death of George Floyd," DeWine said.
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, who was in Minneapolis supporting Floyd's family Monday, said she is relieved that Chauvin was found guilty and justice has prevailed.
“Justice has prevailed, but that’s not always the case. So, while I am relieved that Derek Chauvin has been found guilty of murdering George Floyd, I will continue to say the names and fight for all those who have died or been injured senselessly by law enforcement. Breonna Taylor, Daunte Wright, Adam Toledo, Andre Hill, Casey Goodson, Jr., Tamir Rice, and George Floyd should be alive, and no verdict will bring them back or undo the unimaginable heartache and loss their family, friends, and our communities have had to endure. However, I am hopeful that today will be the catalyst to turn agony into action because the American people are demanding transparency, accountability, and equal justice. Congress should listen too, and pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act," Beatty said.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said Chauvin "dishonored his badge and a noble profession" and that it should weigh heavily in his sentencing.
“What Derek Chauvin did to George Floyd is murder. He killed more than a man—he nearly killed the hope of justice. The jury called it murder, and restored that hope. Chauvin dishonored his badge and a noble profession. That should weigh heavily in his sentencing hearing," Yost said.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said the guilty verdict is the "best outcome following the tragic and unnecessary loss of life."
"It brings some measure of justice for those who knew and loved George Floyd, but it will not restore his life, nor will it erase the centuries of racial injustice that continues to plague our nation. As Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’ Today the system worked, but we must build upon this moment to make change – together – and strive for justice and accountability in our own community," Ginther said.
Columbus Public Safety Director Ned Petty said Tuesday's verdict is a critical step toward justice for Floyd's family.
"This verdict is a critical step toward justice for the family of George Floyd. For all who see themselves or their loved ones in George Floyd- for all who say, 'that could have been me, that could have been my son or my brother,' this verdict is vindication that your lives matter. Your lives have value. And you deserve equal protection and equal justice under the law," Pettus said.
Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said the verdict "gives us hope for accountability and better policing in the future.
"Today’s guilty verdict doesn’t bring back George Floyd. It doesn’t bring back Andre Hill, Casey Goodson Jr., or those killed by law enforcement across our nation. But it does give us hope for accountability and better policing in the future," he said.
City Council President Pro Tem Elizabeth Brown said Tuesday's verdict is a step towards justice for Floyd and his family. She said she is hopeful that more accountability will help changes behaviors and saves lives in the future.
"In Columbus and across this country, we are all in search of safe communities for ourselves, our families, and our neighbors. But to achieve that, we must have a legal system that values and protects the lives of Black and brown people. Today’s verdict of Derek Chauvin’s guilt on all three counts was a step towards justice for George Floyd and his family, and I am sincerely hopeful that more accountability will help change behaviors and save lives in the future. At the same time, we still have a tremendous amount of work ahead to make systemic improvements to public safety — especially right at home in Columbus. I urge folks across our city to stay engaged in this work — peacefully, urgently, and deliberately," Brown said.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners said the verdict is a "hopeful sign that times may be changing."
"Today’s verdict in Minnesota is a hopeful sign that times may be changing. It is definitely a sign that Americans are no longer satisfied with the old system in which the police can often not be held accountable regardless of the circumstances of the case. We believe that there is a way to write laws and police contracts so that law enforcement have the tools they need to do their important jobs while still being accountable to the public they serve. We will fight for those changes in every place that we can, and we applaud the hard work and sacrifice of the many who have long fought to change this system for the better," the commissioners said.
Stephanie Hightower, the President and CEO of the Columbus Urban League, released a statement following the verdict.
“No matter the outcome of this trial, our country must search its collective soul. The death of George Floyd was caught on video and we saw all nine and a half agonizing minutes. That video gave death a voice and racist violence a face. It exemplified the debilitating and sometimes fatal encounters that Black people have reported about law enforcement for decades. My team and I will double down. We know that our work for social justice and racial equity matters more today than ever. We know that our community continues to struggle to overcome the effects of hundreds of years of trauma, trauma that is exemplified and exacerbated by the deaths of George Floyd, Casey Goodson Jr., Andre Hill and so many others. I pray that we can grieve peacefully. And I also pray that each of us consider some critical questions: What would have happened if there were no video? Why should Black people alone bear the burden of proof of the need for real change? Can you hear us? Will you see us? Most importantly, will you speak for us?
The Columbus branch of the NAACP said the verdict "was the right one," and it sends a clear message to law enforcement that they are not above the law.
"The verdict rendered today finding former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all charges for the murder of George Floyd was the right one. Today’s outcome sends a clear message to law enforcement that they are not above the law. Their actions have consequences. George Floyd’s life mattered and he would be alive today had it not been for Derek Chauvin’s callous disregard for human life. Decisive action is needed to prevent the death of civilians," the NAACP said.
In a letter to the university community, Ohio State President Kristina M. Johnson also issued a statement following the verdict.
"The verdict is now in for the trial concerning the murder of George Floyd. This, no doubt, releases many emotions and feelings due to the tragedy that occurred on May 25, 2020. I hear and honor these feelings. Now more than ever, we need to take care of each other and engage peacefully and respectfully. I encourage anyone to take advantage of the resources that our university provides for all campuses available on the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s website. More will be added in the coming days. It is part of our university’s mission to foster open and honest dialogue to bring about real and sustained change. It is what we do as Buckeyes, and what we will continue to do."
Desiree Tims, the President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, applauded the verdict but said "there is no verdict that could restore George Floyd's life."
"There is no verdict that could restore George Floyd's life, but I'm relieved that his family will at least see his murderer brought to justice. Hopefully this will bring some peace to all who loved Mr. Floyd. Today must be the beginning, not the end, of the conversation around police reform. Too many unarmed Black men and women have died at the hands of law enforcement — cell phone videos make it impossible to ignore this reality. Holding bad actors accountable is only step one. We also need to address the causes of these preventable deaths, and implement meaningful changes to prevent them. We can start by passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act through Congress. Let's get to work," Tims said.
The Cleveland Cavaliers also issued a statement saying, "today's verdict represents an important measure of justice for he (Floyd) and his family."
ABC 6/FOX 28 will update this story.
