GUILTY
Three other former Minneapolis officers will now be tried together for aiding and abetting second-degree murder. (Photo: REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg)

Derek Chauvin is expected to appeal his murder conviction by disputing news publicity given to the case that allegedly swayed jurors and a settlement in the civil case brought by George Floyd's family, reports said Wednesday.

Chauvin was convicted on all three counts against him Tuesday - closing a chapter of the May 25 murder of Floyd, an unarmed black man.

Because Chauvin wasn't charged with first-degree murder, he is eligible to appeal. This must be filed by his defense lawyers within 90 days.

Some 90% of appeals in the U.S. are denied, according to legal experts.

Chauvin's bail was revoked by Judge Peter Cahill after the guilty verdicts.

Cahill triggered national political discussion after he reprimanded California Democratic U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters for comments he said might result in the verdict being "overturned" on appeal.

The judge said Waters' remarks before the decision were "abhorrent." She said if Chauvin was acquitted protesters should "get more confrontational."

U.S. President Joe Biden said late Monday the evidence presented at the trial was "overwhelming," after calling the Floyd family once the jurors had been sequestered for deliberations.

"This can be a giant step forward on the march toward justice in America," Biden said. "This can be a moment of significant change," according to the Al Jazeera news agency.

"Today we feel a sigh of relief, but it can't take away the pain. A measure of justice is not the same as equal justice," U.S. Vice president Kamala Harris said.

Prominent figures shared their reactions on Twitter.

 

 

 

Chauvin faces 12 and a half years in prison as a first-time criminal offender under Minnesota sentencing guidelines. However, prosecutors could seek the maximum 40 years if Cahill determines there were "aggravating factors."

Meanwhile, three other former Minneapolis officers - Thomas Lane, J Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao - will be tried together in the summer, order documents filed in Hennepin County District Court show.

The three are each charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.