Former police officer found guilty of murdering George Floyd

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been convicted of murder and manslaughter over the death of George Floyd.

The explosive case has triggered worldwide protests, violence and a furious re-examination of racism and policing in the US.

The jury reached its verdict after deliberating for about 10 hours over two days in a city on edge against another outbreak of unrest.

Mr Floyd died last May after Chauvin, a white officer, pinned his knee on or close to the 46-year-old black man's neck for about nine-and-a-half minutes.

Prosecutors claimed the former police officer "had to know" he was killing Mr Floyd by kneeling on his neck.

The defence suggested he died of a heart condition and illegal drug use - but the jury didn't believe that and found Chauvin guilty on all charges.

REACTION

President Joe Biden said the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd "can be a giant step forward'' for the nation in the fight against systemic racism.

But he declared that "it's not enough''.

Mr Biden spoke from the White House hours after Tuesday's verdict alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, with the pair saying the country's work on racial inequality was far from finished with the verdict.

"We can't stop here,'' Mr Biden declared.

Mr Biden and Ms Harris called on Congress to act swiftly to address policing reform, including by approving a bill named for Mr Floyd, who died with his neck under Chauvin's knee last May.

Beyond that, the president said, the entire country must confront hatred to "change hearts and minds as well as laws and policies''.

"'I can't breathe'. Those were George Floyd's last words,'' Mr Biden said. "We can't let those words die with him. We have to keep hearing those words. We must not turn away. We can't turn away.''

Ms Harris, the first black woman to serve as vice president, said racism was keeping the country from fulfilling its founding promise of "liberty and justice for all''.

"It is not just a black America problem or a people of colour problem. It is a problem for every American,'' she said. "It is holding our nation back from reaching our full potential.''

"A measure of justice isn't the same as equal justice.''

Mr Biden addressed the nation after telephoning Mr Floyd's family following the verdict, telling them, "We're all so relieved''.

He added later that he sought to comfort Mr Floyd's young daughter Gianna, telling her: "Daddy did change the world.''

Beyonce and Winfrey, two of the most prominent black women in America, led the response from Hollywood.

In a statement shared on her website alongside a childhood picture of Floyd sleeping in his mother's arms, Beyonce said: "After too many years of misguided justice, today is a good day.

"I encourage all of us to continue to pray for George Floyd's family and for all the families who seek justice for their loved ones who are victims of too many years of inequalities.''

Winfrey said she was brought to tears when the verdict was read.

She wrote on Instagram: "Relieved-and emotional in ways I didn't expect. I cried tears of joy as each verdict was read. I'm grateful to the witnesses and their testimonies.''

Winfrey said she was "grateful to Darnella Frazier'', the teenager who filmed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd.

She added: "Grateful to every Juror for seeing and acknowledging what the world saw on that tape. Thank you God for real! #GeorgeFloyd.''

Chart-topping singer Mariah Carey tweeted "Hallelujah!!!!!!!!'' in response to the news, before adding: "A beginning.. a small grain of hope for our future.''