The guilty verdict of former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin has brought a sense of relief to many in Connecticut who say this was a cut and dry case.
Chauvin was convicted Tuesday of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man’s neck in a case that triggered worldwide protests, violence and a furious re-examination of racism and policing in the U.S.
Danbury Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour says the verdict should send a strong message to cities and towns to be more thorough in the screening process for new officers.
Attorney Mark Arons represented the family of Mubarak Soulemane, a man fatally shot by Connecticut State Police after he allegedly held up a Verizon Wireless store at knifepoint then lead State Police on a high-speed chase in Connecticut.
The civil rights attorney says the verdict is a solid first step in transparency and obtaining justice for victims.
A local pastor added that it is not the end of the story, but just the beginning of it.