Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd, who died under Chauvin’s knee, sparking America’s greatest outrage against racial injustice in generations .
The sentence handed down on Friday was less than the 30 years requested by prosecutors.
With good behavior, 45-year-old Chauvin could be placed on parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence, or about 15 years.
Former police officer Derek Chauvin broke his lengthy court silence on Friday as he faces sentencing for the murder of George Floyd, offering condolences to Floyd’s family and saying he hopes more information comes to them. You will get “peace of mind”.
Chauvin, who did not testify at his trial, turned down his COVID-19 test and turned to the Floyd family, speaking only briefly, of what he called “a few additional legal matters at hand” — the federal civil rights trial. A clear reference to that still face.
“But very briefly, however, I want to offer my condolences to the Floyd family. There is going to be some other information in the future which will be of interest. And I hope things give you some peace of mind,” he said without elaborating.
Chauvin’s attorney, Eric Nelson, called Floyd’s death “tragic”, and Chauvin’s “mind is full of what-ifs” from that day on: “What if I don’t agree to leave that day? What if? What if things had fallen apart? What if I never answered that call? What if what if?”
Floyd’s family members took a stand and expressed grief over his death. He demanded maximum punishment.
“We don’t want to see any more slaps on the wrist. We’re already through it,” said a tearful Terrence Floyd, one of Floyd’s brothers.
Floyd’s nephew Brandon Williams said: “Our family is forever broken.” And Floyd’s 7-year-old daughter, Gianna, said in a court-played video that if she could say anything to her father now, it would be: “I miss you and I love you.”
Prosecutor Matthew Frank asked the judge to exceed sentencing guidelines and sentence Chauvin to 30 years in prison, saying “torture is the right word” for what the officer did to Floyd.
“This is not a momentary gunshot, a punch in the face. This is 9½ minutes of brutality with a man who was helpless and was just begging for his life,” Frank said.
Chauvin’s mother, Caroline Pavlenti, took the stand to plead mercy for the son, saying that his reputation had been unfairly undermined as “an aggressive, heartless and reckless person” and a racist.
“I can tell you this is far from the truth,” she told the judge. “I want this court to know that none of these things are true and that my son is a good person.” She continued: “Derek, I want you to know that I have always believed in your innocence, and I will never back down.”
“I’ll be here for you when you get home,” she said.
Concrete Barricades, RAzor Wire and the National Guard patrol the courthouse during Chauvin’s three-week trial in the spring moved to Friday, reflecting tensions that have eased since the verdict in April. Still, there was recognition that sentencing was another major step forward for Minneapolis since Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020.
“Between the incident, the video, the riots, the trial – that’s the pinnacle of it,” said local defense attorney Mike Brandt, who followed the case closely. “The verdict was also huge, but that’s where justice comes.”
Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional manslaughter, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for pressing his knee against Floyd’s neck for 9 1/2 minutes as the 46-year-old black man gasped to say he couldn’t breathe and became paralyzed.
Bystander video of Floyd’s arrest on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a corner store prompted protests around the world and sparked violence scattered in and outside Minneapolis.
Minnesota sentencing guidelines called for 12 1/2 years, But Judge Peter Cahill agreed with prosecutors Before Friday’s proceedings there were dire circumstances that could justify a hefty sentence – among them, that Chauvin treated Floyd with particular cruelty, abused his position of authority as a police officer and done in front of the children.
The defense, requesting probation, said that Chauvin was the product of a “broken” system and “believed he was doing his job.”
Chauvin could be released on parole after serving about two-thirds of his sentence for his good behavior.
Before sentencing, the judge denied Chauvin’s request for a new trial. Defense attorney Eric Nelson argued that the intense publicity tarnished the jury pool and that the trial should have been dropped from Minneapolis.
The judge also rejected a defense request for a possible juror’s misconduct hearing. Nelson accused a jury member of being unclear during jury selection because he did not mention his participation in a march last summer in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Prosecutors said the juror was open about his views.
Read also: It wasn’t right: Juvenile witness to George Floyd murder testifies in court
Read also: Former US policeman Derek Chauvin has been convicted of murder in the George Floyd case