'Stunning moment in history:' NYC marches for Floyd

"While this is not justice because it won't bring George Floyd back, it is the start of accountability on the part of the police," said Eliza Orlins, a candidate for Manhattan district attorney. "And this shows a real willingness on the part of jurors in Minnesota and prosecutors to bring these types of cases. And it's absolutely crucial in this next step towards really bringing about the transformational changes we need to see."

A 12-member jury found Chauvin, 45, guilty of all charges including second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter after considering three weeks of testimony from 45 witnesses, including bystanders, police officials and medical experts. Deliberations began on Monday and lasted just over 10 hours.

In a confrontation captured on video, Chauvin, who is white, pushed his knee into the neck of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man in handcuffs, for more than nine minutes on May 25, 2020, as he and three fellow officers arrested Floyd, who was accused of using a fake $20 bill to buy cigarettes at a grocery store.

Chauvin had pleaded not guilty to the charges of second-degree unintentional murder involving "intentional infliction of bodily harm," third-degree unintentional "depraved mind" murder involving an "act eminently dangerous to others," and second-degree manslaughter involving a death caused by "culpable negligence."