Kentucky reacts to Derek Chauvin verdict handed down Tuesday

(LEX 18) — Officials, activists and organizations across Kentucky reacted Tuesday amid the news that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts for the murder of George Floyd.

The jury returned the unanimous verdict after about 10 hours of deliberations over Monday night and Tuesday morning. The jury did not ask any questions of the judge during their deliberations.

Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in the May 2020 death of Floyd.

Chauvin will be sentenced for his crimes in eight weeks.

A small group of people, including activist April Taylor, gathered in downtown Lexington amid the announcement of the verdict.

"While I feel like there is something to celebrate for George Floyd's family and community, and the fact that we finally have a guilty verdict, there is so many other instances where there isn't justice," local activist April Taylor said.

Devine Carama, another notable local activist, said he shed a tear when he heard the verdict. He also said there is still a lot of work to do.

"There is motivation for us to continue pushing forward, continuing to do what we've been doing, raising our voices in the street but also raising our voices at the polls, and I think that is what it is about," Carama said.

Many notable Kentuckians, such as Gov. Andy Beshear, State Representative Attica Scott, Charles Booker, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and Rep. John Yarmuth voiced their opinions on the verdict via social media.