Lawmakers release statements on Chauvin verdict

Several lawmakers from Nevada released statements Tuesday afternoon following the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Congressman Steven Horsford said:

"Today's verdict means justice for George Floyd and his family," said Congressman Steven Horsford. "Throughout American history, there are countless examples of juries turning their backs on the worth and value of Black lives. Today, the jurors in the George Floyd trial believed the evidence in front of their eyes, and delivered the right verdict.

"Along with the millions of Americans who have demanded justice for George Floyd over the past eleven months, I am deeply relieved by today's verdict. As we move forward with sentencing, I hope that Derek Chauvin will be held fully accountable, with a sentence that reflects the true severity of his actions.

"In the aftermath of this trial and the deaths of George Floyd, Daunte Wright, Breonna Taylor, and so many others who have lost their lives at the hands of law enforcement, the Senate has a moral obligation to act quickly to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and enact the police accountability legislation that Americans deserve."

Representative Dina Titus also released a statement.

"George Floyd's death shocked the conscience of our country," said Congresswoman Titus (NV-1). "It inspired a new generation to call out the injustices in our society that too often have been overlooked.

"The judicial system delivered accountability when it rendered a guilty verdict after carefully considering the evidence, but that does not change fact that George Floyd should be alive today.

"This verdict should remind us all of what often happens when Black lives are taken and there is no one around to record it. We need systemic reform in this country and I will continue to push the Justice In Policing Act to make that a reality."

Nevada Attorney General Aaron d. Ford said in a release:

"Today, a jury held George Floyd's murderer accountable," said AG Ford. "Mr. Floyd's life mattered, just as every innocent life taken at the hands law enforcement does. Let this trial serve as evidence that we will no longer tolerate the heinous killings of African-Americans and minorities at the hand of rogue police officers."

"I would like to thank my colleague in Minnesota, Attorney General Keith Ellison and his team for prosecuting this case with professionalism and integrity to hold Mr. Floyd's murderer accountable."

"Many Nevadans have asked me how I felt about this trial, and to be frank, it was too painful for me to watch. I did not want to relive the trauma – trauma that is, unfortunately, a common re-occurrence for me and so many others. As an African-American, I don't take the mistreatment of members of my community or any minority community lightly. As Nevada's top law enforcement officer, my duty will always lie on the side of accountability and justice. Today, we saw specific accountability. But the fight for perpetual justice continues."

"Historically, the relationship between law enforcement and communities of color has been strained, to say the least, and I have always said that law enforcement must make proactive efforts to augment, restore, and create trust," AG Ford continued. "After Mr. Floyd's death, I made every effort to reach out to Nevadans by hosting a series of town halls – the Justice & Injustice Forum – with law enforcement officials, community leaders, legislators, and others to develop tangible ways to improve relations between law enforcement and the communities we serve, particularly communities of color. The conversations were uncomfortable but entirely necessary. And some of the solutions arising out the forum are now being implemented or legislated, including two bills my Office sponsored that are pending in the Nevada Legislature right now."

"My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Mr. Floyd's family. And I reiterate my commitment to all Nevadans to continue an open and honest conversation with you. I will always work to seek justice on your behalf."