Philonise Floyd after guilty verdicts: ‘As an African American man, we usually never get justice’

Philonise Floyd, the brother of George Floyd, said that when the judge was reading the jury verdict in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, he was “praying they would find him guilty” because “as an African American, we usually never get justice.”

According to pool reports, Floyd, who was in the courtroom on Tuesday afternoon, was praying while Judge Peter Cahill read the jury’s verdict.

His hands reportedly began shaking while clasped as the first guilty verdict was read, and became “shakier” during the second reading. During the reading of the third verdict, Floyd’s hands were reportedly shaking back and forth, with his head down and eyes closed as his head nodded up and down.

Once all verdicts were read, pool reports said Floyd was weeping and hugging all four prosecutors.

Prosecutor Steve Schleicher’s was reportedly wiping away tears.

When asked by a reporter after the verdict had been read what he was praying for in court, Floyd said “I was just praying they would find him guilty. As an African American, we usually never get justice.”

Prior to the reading of the verdict, pool reports said Floyd was seen alternating between prayer, and looking up towards Chauvin.

Chauvin, according to the pool report, at one point turned his chair and looked back at Floyd, who was praying.

On Tuesday, Chauvin was found guilty on all three charges in the murder of Floyd: second-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter and third-degree murder.