Ocean Co. NAACP Head: Chauvin Guilty Verdict Justice, Not Enough

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — The verdict by a Minnesota jury finding former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts in the killing of George Floyd has sparked a range of reactions from shouts to tears of joy and relief.

Ocean County NAACP President Fred Rush says he feels no such sense of relief, however.

"There are too many George Floyds," Rush said Tuesday evening, hours after the verdict was announced. "There's countless names we don't know because nobody had a camera in their hand."

Chauvin, 45, the former Minneapolis police officer who was seen by people across the world with his knee on Floyd's neck in a nearly 10-minute video, was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd's death on Memorial Day 2020. Read more: Jury Finds Derek Chauvin Guilty On All Counts In Death Of Floyd

Floyd's killing prompted protests and marches across the country in the days that followed, including in Toms River, Brick and Lakewood, where Rush supported the efforts of the county NAACP's youth leaders in calling for justice.

"Finally I think that justice has been done, but it's not enough," Rush said Tuesday. "This was caught on tape for 9 minutes and 29 seconds. It was hard for the justice system to just discount it."

Even with the video that was central to the case, Rush said he wasn't at all at ease waiting to hear the jury's decision, fearing Chauvin would not be convicted.

"It was a hard day," he said. "I still had reservations even before the verdict came in."

The Chauvin case has led to national discussions on policing and efforts to address use-of-force incidents. New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced updated use-of-force guidelines for the state — the first update in New Jersey in more than 20 years — and two weeks ago launched a searchable database of use-of-force incidents in the state.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office shared a joint message from the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey on Tuesday that called the verdict justice.

"Today, the jury delivered justice not only for the family and loved ones of George Floyd, but for the millions of Americans of color who for decades have experienced a different reality of uneven treatment by law enforcement," the statement said. "What we witnessed in Minneapolis last May was not policing, but was murder and an absolute abdication of the values of protecting and serving."

"With this verdict, our country can begin the long and complex process of healing, which we know will also involve continued dialogue between communities and law enforcement, as well as ongoing police reform, increased transparency, and accountability."

Rush said there is a better relationship between the Black community and law enforcement in Ocean County, which he said has existed for a while because efforts to foster understanding through a human relations meeting that brought a number of groups together.

Last summer, local law enforcement marched with protesters to show their recognition of the community's concerns. Toms River Police Chief Mitchell Little, Lakewood Police Chief Gregory Meyer, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy all were visible presences at the Toms River and Lakewood marches.

While there is a better relationship, Rush said, "it doesn't mean that if someone gets shot or is treated unjustly, we won't speak out."

After the verdict was read, Chauvin was taken out of the courtroom in handcuffs, his bail was revoked and he was taken into the custody of the Hennepin County sheriff. Chauvin's sentencing hearing will take place in eight weeks. He faces a maximum of 75 years in prison under Minnesota law.

"There's so many others. There's the kid Daunte Wright. There's the 13-year-old in Chicago," Rush said, referring to the 20-year-old who was shot and killed by a police officer on April 11 not far from where Chauvin was on trial, and Adam Toledo, who was shot and killed by a police officer March 29, video of which just surfaced in the last week.

"This is not new," Rush said. "It's just so many more people have smartphones in their hands."

After the verdict was read, Chauvin was taken out of the courtroom in handcuffs, his bail was revoked and he was taken into the custody of the Hennepin County sheriff. Chauvin's sentencing hearing will take place in eight weeks. He faces a maximum of 75 years in prison under Minnesota law.

"I think it was a fair and just verdict. We'll see what happens in the next month," Rush said.

With reporting by William Bornhoft

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