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Minneapolis (AP) - In the trial of the killing of the African American George Floyd, the jury found the white ex-police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts.
That said Judge Peter Cahill in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Chauvin faces a long prison sentence.
The judge will determine the exact amount of the sentence later.
Chauvin's defense may still appeal the verdict.
The 46-year-old Floyd was killed in an arrest in Minneapolis on May 25 last year.
Videos documented how the police pushed the unarmed man to the ground.
Chauvin pressed his knee against Floyd's neck for a good nine minutes while Floyd pleaded to let him breathe.
According to the autopsy, Floyd passed out and died a little later.
The officers arrested him on suspicion of paying with a fake $ 20 bill.
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The most serious charge against Chauvin was second degree murder without intent.
Up to 40 years in prison in Minnesota.
According to German law, this would be more like homicide.
In addition, Chauvin was also accused of third degree murder, which can be punished with up to 25 years in prison.
He also had to answer for second degree manslaughter, which resulted in ten years in prison.
According to German law, this charge would correspond more to negligent homicide.
Chauvin had pleaded not guilty.
Experts assume that the chauvin, who has not yet had a criminal record, is likely to receive a lower sentence than the maximum permissible.
According to the US legal system, the decision of guilt or innocence fell to the jury.
There was no time limit for the deliberations of the twelve jury members, which had been going on since Monday afternoon.
However, they were no longer allowed to go home during the talks, but were accommodated in a hotel.
Their judgment had to be made unanimously.
In this case, the jury will remain anonymous until further notice for security reasons.
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Floyd's fate had triggered a wave of demonstrations against racism and police violence in the USA in the middle of the corona pandemic and developed into the largest protest movement in decades.
The expectations of the trial in the USA were therefore immense: many people, including many blacks, had hoped for a verdict that would set an example against racism and police violence. Even US President Joe Biden said he prayed that the "right judgment" would be made. New protests were expected in the event of an acquittal or a small prison sentence.
Immediately before the announcement of the verdict, hundreds of activists of the "Black Lives Matter" movement had already gathered in front of the massively secured courthouse in central Minneapolis.
Among other things, they chanted the name of George Floyd, the words "Stop killing us" and "Chauvin - guilty".
Floyd's ex-partner Courtney Ross said ahead of the verdict that a guilty verdict would not only be a sign of justice for Floyd, but also a tailwind for the fight against racism.
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Because of the trial, a large number of security forces were deployed in Minneapolis, including soldiers from the National Guard.
Governor Tim Walz had previously called for peaceful demonstrations to avoid riots and “chaos”.
Chauvin's defense attorney Eric Nelson had argued that Chauvin's use of force was justified because Floyd resisted arrest.
He was also of the opinion that Floyd's death was not primarily due to violence, but mainly to existing heart problems and drug residues in his blood.
Prosecution experts clearly rejected this argument.
For example, a lung specialist said Floyd died of a lack of oxygen.
The low levels of oxygen caused brain damage and brought Floyd's heart to a standstill.
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo described Chauvin's use of force as disproportionate and illegal.
Chauvin had been released after Floyd's death.
He was released on bail and was present throughout the trial.
In addition to Chauvin, three other ex-police officers involved in the operation against Floyd have been charged, who will stand trial in a separate trial from 23 August.
They are charged with aid.
They too could face long prison sentences.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210420-99-284902 / 3