Why Derek Chauvin was found guilty of both murder and manslaughter over George Floyd’s death

Derek Chauvin has been found guilty of murdering George Floyd, or — more precisely — he’s been found guilty of two counts of murder and one count of manslaughter.

But how can someone be convicted of both murder and manslaughter for the same killing? 

Trial judge Peter Cahill’s instructions to the jury demonstrate how the system works in Minnesota.

Derek Chauvin faced ‘separate and distinct’ charges

The former police officer faced three charges relating to his decision to pin George Floyd by the neck until he died:

• Unintentional second-degree murder
• Third-degree murder
• Second-degree manslaughter

It was open to the jury to convict Chauvin of all, some or none of the above because they were instructed by Judge Cahill to consider each charge…