Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts, ISU president releases statement

Photo: Black Lives Matter protest from Fall 2020 

NORMAL, Ill.- The jury has found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all the counts.

He was found guilty of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter of George Floyd.

ISU president Larry Dietz released a statement shortly after the verdict.

“The trial of Derek Chauvin and the killings of 13-year-old Adam Toledo and Daunte Wright have once again opened painful societal wounds rooted in systemic racism,” said Dietz. “The pain of violence impacts us in many ways and reminds us of the importance of supporting each other individually and collectively as we continue to advocate for change.”

Dietz urges students, faculty and staff to please reach out for help if feelings of fear, hopelessness, anger or despair arise.

“In these relentless times, we may be distanced, but as a Redbird community we do not have to be alone,” said Dietz. “While it is prudent for leaders to call for calm, I must also call on our campus community to practice care. Care for one another. Care for ourselves.”

In the statement, he reminded student of the Student Counseling Services and how they provide access to counselors with expertise in counseling and support for students with diverse identities.

Dietz added that the Steve Fund has a crisis text line with counselors who specialize in crises facing students of color.

WZND will provide  updates on local and national response.