Sky statement on Chauvin conviction in George Floyd case originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago Sky released a statement in the wake of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin being found guilty of second- and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.
The release described "relief" that "the justice system did not fail us" in convicting Chauvin on all three charges against him after he, a white officer, killed Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, by kneeling on his neck for almost nine-and-a-half minutes in May 2020.
It also thanked the 12 jurors assigned to the case, who reportedly deliberated for about 10 hours over the course of two days before the verdict was announced Tuesday afternoon.
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“By no means is this a victory, because a man lost his life to something that was senseless,” Sky general manager and head coach James Wade said in a statement. “But it does show some correction in that his murderer has been held accountable -- which should be commonplace.
"This verdict allows for George Floyd’s death to at least not be in vain. We hope with this conviction serves as an example that life is precious, and we must continue to move forward together and hold each other accountable for all our misgivings -- no matter who you are or what you represent -- in order for our society to actually move forward.”
