George Floyd: The jury got it right
By Corey Teague
Published: April 21, 2021
I want to preface this letter by stating that I have somewhat regained a smidgen of hope in the US justice system. Yesterday was a bittersweet day. Sweet because we finally witnessed justice being served upon a rogue cop who willfully took the life of an innocent in the most terrible way possible.
George Floyd didn’t deserve to have his life snuffed out in such a horrible manner. We all watched as the seconds turned into minutes. We watched as George’s life slowly slipped away. We all gasped in horror as we witnessed George take his last breath.
We listened attentively to the people in the background pleading with Derek to take his knee off of Floyd’s neck to no avail. He had a sadistic smirk on his face in knowing that he was killing a man in broad daylight. He was almost overtaken with excitement at the prospect of being hailed as a hero by his racist friends.
Derek, as the rest of us at the time, thought that he would get away with it. That he would somehow slip through the cracks of the legal system and go free to potentially kill someone else. To our astonishment (and to his) he didn’t get to walk away from this unscathed. He now must face the reality that he will spend time in prison for killing George Floyd.
The jury in this case got it right. They took into consideration all of the evidence, testimony and facts in this case and rendered a verdict accordingly. It was a just verdict and I can only imagine the pressure they were under from both sides of the equation.
Nevertheless, the jury did what it was sworn to do. And that is to follow the law and the rules of the court. I am satisfied about the guilty verdict but I am equally troubled at the backlash that might come from law enforcement officers who sided with Derek in this matter.
We must continue to be vigilant even as we celebrate and begin the healing process. There are still so many cases that have yet to be addressed much like that of Jameek Lowery who’s case is still unsolved to this very day.
Let us not forget the names of all the victims who have yet to receive justice. This fight isn’t over although this battle is won. Again, I am compelled to reiterate the point that we must remain vigilant and prayerful in the days, weeks and months ahead.
Thank you to the jury for doing what was right. Now, let’s get back to work advocating for the victims who have yet to be heard. Let’s continue to police the police and hold them accountable.
Corey Teague
School board member