The former Minneapolis police officer was sentenced to 21 years in prison for violating the civil rights of George Floyd, adding to the time he is already serving for murder.
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin addresses the courtroom. (File photo: AP)
A federal judge on Thursday sentenced Derek Chauvin to 21 years in prison for violating the civil rights of George Floyd, a move that adds a few years when the former Minneapolis police officer is already serving his murder sentence. Transferring to federal custody.
US District Judge Paul Magnusson received the sentence after Chauvin agreed to a plea deal for sentences ranging from 20 to 25 years. Federal prosecutors had sought the top end of that range, arguing that Chauvin, who is white, killed Floyd in cold blood when he walked on the sidewalk outside a Minneapolis corner store on May 25, 2020. Pinned the black man for more than 9 minutes. Floyd pleaded that he could not breathe.
Chauvin’s lawyer sought 20 years, arguing that Chauvin was repentant.
During Thursday’s hearing, Chauvin told Floyd’s family he extends “best wishes” to Floyd’s children. But Chauvin’s brief remarks did not include any direct apologies or expressions of remorse for Floyd’s family.
Chauvin is already serving a 22 1/2-year sentence on state charges of manslaughter and manslaughter.
The plea deal called for Chauvin to serve the sentence at the same time and be transferred from a Minnesota state prison to a federal prison, where experts say he would be safer and could be held under less restrictive terms. .
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