LA On Edge As Guilty Verdict Is Reached In Chauvin Trial

LOS ANGELES, CA — The jury reached a guilty verdict in the murder trial against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Police and community leaders in Los Angeles County urged calm in the aftermath of the verdict.

The jury found Chauvin guilty of second-degree murder and third-degree murder in the death of George Floyd. He faces up to 40 years in prison.

The jury reached the verdict in about 10 hours, sending shockwaves around the nation. It's a rare guilty verdict against a police officer who killed whiled on the job.

A group of Southland faith leaders began gathering in Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles for a rally. The group known as Community Control Over the Police planned to rally Tuesday afternoon at Florence and Normandie.

The verdict put Los Angeles County police departments on high alert Tuesday.

A group of about 75 protesters gathered in the Fairfax district and knelt in an intersection for more than nine minutes to mark the guilty verdicts reached in the Derek Chauvin trial.

Demonstrators moved into the intersection of Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday as Los Angeles police officers in riot gear stood nearby monitoring the crowd.

There were no arrests and no vandalism reported.

Elsewhere, as a precaution, the Long Beach Police Department declared a "stage 2 tactical alert" due to Tuesday's verdict. The alert means additional officers will be on patrol ready to respond to any calls for service. The city stressed that there is no information about planned protests.

The City of Los Angeles closed its COVID-19 vaccination sites for the rest of the day as a precaution due to the verdict.

Southland leaders reacted quickly Tuesday to the conviction.

"Justice has been served! I think we can breathe a sigh of relief," Assemblyman Mike Gipson, D-Gardena, wrote on Twitter. "This is the moment we've been waiting for. But we still have more work to do. This is only the beginning."

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez issued a statement saying, "The murder of George Floyd at the hands of those sworn to protect and serve marked another moment of betrayal to communities of color. Today's verdict is one small step forward in the never-ending fight for justice and accountability, underscoring that no one is above the law."

L.A. Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas called the verdict a "victory for justice."

"But despite today's outcome, our hearts remain heavy for the loved ones of George Floyd who have lost a father, a brother, and a friend," he said. "Though his life was senselessly cut short, Mr. Floyd's legacy lives on through our collective work and advocacy to reimagine policing across this country. So, while today's verdict will not bring George Floyd back, my hope is that his family will know that he has forever changed this nation for the better."

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, cautioned that legal justice "does not bring back George Floyd and justice in one case does not erase thousands of other wrongs. We must work to make sure that this step toward justice is followed by thousands, or millions, of steps in that direction."

Sheriff Alex Villanueva tweeted that he has faith in the justice system.

"As we have all seen with the verdict in the Derek Chauvin case, we must have faith in the judicial process," he wrote. "The law will take its course, and justice will prevail. If a crime is committed, regardless of who the perpetrator is, they will be brought to justice."

Villanueva and LAPD Chief Michel Moore and about two dozen religious and community leaders gathered in front of LAPD headquarters recently to plead for calm following the verdict in Chauvin's trial.

Fearing a repeat of the widespread protests and unrest following the death of Floyd last summer, Los Angeles County police agencies are on high alert, and business communities remain on edge. The tension goes deeper than the clashes with police and scattered looting during the summer protests. Not since the Rodney King beating and subsequent LA riots has there been such a high-profile police brutality trial.

Several departments such as the Los Angeles Police Department and sheriff's department face the possibility of widespread protests even as they confront criticism of their handling of the summer's protests. The LAPD'S own investigation found the department was underprepared for dealing with the crowds, and community groups and numerous lawsuits have accused law enforcement in Los Angeles of firing tear gas and rubber bullets at peaceful protestors. On Monday, A federal judge issued orders restricting the LAPD's use of 40mm and 37mm projectile launchers against crowds of protesters, allowing their use only against people who pose a clear threat of serious bodily harm to others. Now, police officials are urging people to protest peacefully, acknowledging their right to gather.

Villanueva and Moore have been vocal in urging people to protest peacefully following the verdict. They both took part in an online community town hall discussion Monday about public safety.

"I think early intervention and high visible presence is a way to go and we will be doing that and we will be working hand-in-hand with all of our municipal partners throughout the county," Villanueva said. "And, of course, what we are asking people is that regardless of what the outcome may be, it's not going to be a cause for people to resort to violence or damage other peoples' property, destroy businesses, destroy jobs. That's not going to further anyone's cause of justice -- you are actually creating more injustices."

He insisted deputies "are going to always respect everyone's right to protest. We are going to defend everyone's First Amendment right to assemble and to protest, but it has to be peaceful. That's all we are asking for: peaceful protest. If they decide to become violent or cross over into lawlessness, we will take immediate decisive action."

Villanueva said over the weekend the department is communicating with state and local law enforcement agencies "as to their state of readiness," including the California National Guard, which could be requested for assistance if conditions demand.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.