Judge Sentences Derek Chauvin to Over 22 Years for Murder of George Floyd

Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced Friday to 22 and a half years in prison for the murder of George Floyd, more than one year after Floyd’s death sparked an international movement against police brutality.

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill, who presided over Chauvin’s murder trial, handed down a sentence of 270 months for charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s May 25, 2020, death. Chauvin received a credit of 199 days served in prison. A jury convicted him of the charges on April 20.

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{snip} The most serious offense, second-degree murder, carries a penalty of up to 40 years in prison, according to Minnesota law. The other charges, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, can result in imprisonment of up to 25 and 10 years, respectively. Prosecutors wanted 30 years, while Chauvin’s attorney, Eric Nelson, asked for probation and time served. Floyd’s family wanted the maximum sentence.

In a statement issued after the sentencing, civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who represents Floyd’s family, called the sentence “historic,” and said that it “brings the Floyd family and our nation one step closer to healing by delivering closure and accountability.”

“For once, a police officer who wrongly took the life of a Black man was held to account. {snip}”

The Rev. Al Sharpton acknowledged that the sentence “is the longest we’ve seen,” but said it doesn’t quite amount to justice.

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Chauvin now has 60 days to appeal his sentence with the Minnesota Court of Appeals. He can also appeal Cahill’s Friday ruling that denied his bid for a new trial.

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The sentence came after members of Floyd’s family read aloud victim impact statements at Friday’s hearing. They included Floyd’s 7-year-old daughter, Gianna, and his brother Terrence.

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Gianna Floyd said she loves and misses her father and hoped to play with him again.

“We used to have dinner meals every single night before we went to bed,” she said. {snip}

Chauvin’s mother, Carolyn Pawlenty, spoke in support of her son {snip}

“My son’s identity has been reduced to that [of a] racist,” she said. “I want the court to know that none of these things are true. And that my son is a good man.”

Chauvin declined to give a statement at the hearing, but he did offer his condolences to the Floyd family. {snip}

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