You won’t see this often, but the poker community is mostly in agreement with the verdict in the Derek Chauvin murder case. Even long-time rivals Daniel Negreanu and Doug Polk are on the same side.
Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, was on trial for his alleged role in the 2020 death of George Floyd, an African American he was attempting to arrest. Chauvin was seen kneeling on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes, and Floyd, heard in a bystander video, shouted, “I can’t breathe” at one point during the confrontation.
The incident sparked riots and protests in Minnesota last year, and then all throughout the country. Many Americans believed the alleged murder was racially motivated, sparking brushback against police. Protests and violence related to the Floyd murder have subsided over the past six months, but authorities were on standby in Minneapolis in preparation for a violent reaction to a not guilty verdict.
After 12 hours of deliberations, the jury came back with a guilty verdict on all three counts — second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin’s bail was revoked as he awaits sentencing, which is set to come in eight weeks.
Poker community satisfied with verdict
Daniel Negreanu, as he often is on controversial subjects, was quick to comment on the Chauvin verdict. The GGPoker ambassador was clearly satisfied with the outcome of the highly publicized murder trial.
I have many twisted and sadistic things I’d like to share right now about today’s verdict, but let’s just leave it with: this is good news.
I’m sure he will be welcomed with open arms and knees.
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) April 20, 2021
“I have many twisted and sadistic things I’d like to share right now about today’s verdict, but let’s just leave it with: this is good news. I’m sure he will be welcomed with open arms and knees,” Negreanu tweeted.
Polk and Negreanu don’t always agree on issues, but this time they did. The Upswing Poker founder had already determined Chauvin’s guilt for himself, and wondered how anyone could disagree.
"But, But, what happened to him was SO UNFAIR"
— Doug Polk (@DougPolkVids) April 20, 2021
Matt Glantz, another of the usual suspects on poker Twitter during controversial issues, is disappointed that former President Donald Trump couldn’t tweet during the incident. “Wish they would give Trump back his account just for today,” he wrote. Trump’s Twitter account was permanently banned last year after he supposedly incited violence leading up to the US Capitol riots following the 2020 presidential election.
Although most on poker Twitter agree with the verdict, there are a few who just couldn’t help themselves. Take @jamjdckr, for example. “Did you read the coroners (sic) report? He OD’d and now an officers (sic) life is ruined because of a junkie piece of shit. Fucking travesty,” he or she wrote.
