Biden and Harris Praise Guilty Verdict in Chauvin Trial
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks as Vice President Kamala Harris looks on in response to the verdict in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin at the Cross Hall of the White House April 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. Chauvin was found guilty today on all three charges he faced in the death of George Floyd last May. Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images

U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris celebrated the guilty verdict on the Derek Chauvin trial for the killing of George Floyd. Chauvin was a former Minneapolis police officer.

Biden said on Tuesday that today's verdict in the Chauvin trial is a step forward.

"But it's not enough, we can't stop here. In order to deliver real change and reform, we can and must do more to reduce the likelihood that a tragedy like this will ever occur again," Biden was quoted in a CNBC report.

Chauvin kneeled on Floyd's neck for about nine minutes despite the Black man being unarmed. A bystander captured the incident in a video.

This triggered massive protests across the country, fighting against police brutality and racism.

Harris said that with the help of smartphones, many Americans have witnessed racial injustice that Black Americans have known for generations.

Harris said that it is their job to honor Floyd's legacy, which Biden noted is a legacy of peace and justice.

The president has also called on the U.S. Senate to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

Biden also said he wanted to have the bill on his desk, as this measure should not take a whole year to be finished, according to a Yahoo News report.

The said bill would hold law enforcement accountable in situations like this. Also, Biden believes this could build trust between law enforcement and communities.

Harris introduced the measure with Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. Karen Bass.

The White House said that the president and the vice president watched the verdicts being read with staff in the Private Dining Room.

The two top officials then spoke with Floyd's family after the verdicts were read.

Chauvin Trial Verdict

The jury convicted Chauvin of two counts of murder and one of manslaughter after 10 hours of deliberation over two days.

Seven women and five men decided Chauvin's fate. Six jurors were White, while four were Black.

Two were identified as multiracial. During the trial, the jurors were sequestered. Their locations were also kept secret, according to a Fox News report.

Floyd died on May 25 last year. He repeatedly said that he could not breathe while Chauvin pressed his knee against Floyd's neck.

Police were called to the area after a cashier reported that Floyd might have paid them a counterfeit bill to buy cigarettes.

The jury heard from high-ranking Minneapolis police officials, Floyd's loved ones, bystanders, and an officer who also responded to the scene and medical experts.

The prosecutors argued that Chauvin's conduct was a "substantial causal factor" to Floyd's death.

The defense argued that Chauvin acted reasonably and that Floyd had died of a heart condition and illegal drug use at the age of 46.

Chauvin could carry up to 40 years for second-degree unintentional murder. Meanwhile, his other sentences could be 25 years for third-degree murder; and ten years for second-degree manslaughter.

The defense team plans to appeal for a mistrial, citing media coverage and civil settlement could have caused prejudice on the jury.

READ MORE: Derek Chauvin Trial Moves Forward, Video of George Floyd's Final Moments to Be Played

WATCH: Biden, Harris react to verdict in Derek Chauvin trial - from Denver7 - The Denver Channel