Derek Chauvin sentencing: Ex-officer sentenced to 22-and-a-half years in prison for George Floyd murder
Credit will be given for 199 days served
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Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, broke his silence to offer “condolences” to his family as Judge Peter Cahill sentenced him to 22 years and six months in prison.
The sentence marks 10 years above the 12.5-year guideline for second-degree unintentional murder, due to aggravating factors. Cahill said he wasn’t going to be “profound” in the court and instead pointed to a 22-page legal argument outlining the rationale for the determination.
It came after the court heard form Chauvin for the first time, as well as four members of the Floyd family.
“I want to give my condolences to Floyd family, there’s going to be some other information in the future that would be of interest and I hope things will give you some peace of mind,” Chauvin said.
Defence attorney Eric Nelson said whatever sentence Cahill decides, half will believe it’s too lenient and half too draconian or overbearing as the case became the epicentre of a culture war and political divide. “It has weaved its way into nearly every facet of our lives, from the entertainment that we consume to the presidential politics,” he said. “From protests to conspiracy theories”.
Apart from Chauvin himself and Nelson, the only other person to speak on the ex-officer’s behalf was his mother, Carolyn Pawlenty, who said she feared dying before her favourite son is released from prison. “Derek has played over and over in his head the events of that day. I have seen the toll it has taken on him.”
For the family of Floyd, his daughter, two brothers and nephew delivered victim impact statements asking the judge for the maximum sentence without the possibility of parole, probation or time off for good behaviour.
“Although Chauvin will be sentenced today and spend time in prison, he will have the luxury of seeing his family again, talking to them, he will likely get to spend time with them upon his release,” nephew Brandon Williams said.
“George’s murder, this trial, and everything in between has been tragically devastating, our family is forever broken and one thing we cannot get back is George Floyd.”
Hours before sentencing, the court ruled against the defence team’s request for a new trial or for a hearing on jury misconduct.
Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in April following an emotional and tense trial in Minneapolis.
OPINION: Don’t say this proves the system works
While the sentencing today is positive, some argue it’s not enough, as the prosecution pushed for 30 years, writes Ahmed Baba for Independent Voices.
“It’s also worth bearing in mind that Chauvin’s conviction is more of an anomaly than standard protocol. Would we even have this result if Darnella Frazier, that brave teenager, didn’t document the nine minutes and 29 seconds of Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd’s neck with her phone? It’s important to remember that Derek Chauvin’s sentencing doesn’t prove that the system works; it proves how rarely it works.”
Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 years. Don’t say this proves the system works | Ahmed Baba
Chauvin’s eerie statement of ‘condolences’ fell short of what Floyd’s family deserved — and the numbers show his sentence is the exception rather than the rule
Key moments from Derek Chauvin sentencing
Here are all the key moments from the sentencing hearing as Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years for the murder of George Floyd.
Watch: Key moments from Derek Chauvin sentencing
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22-and-a-half years in prison for the murder of George Floyd.Chauvin, 45, was found guilty by a jury in April of second and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for pressing his knee into Mr Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes as he begged for his life.The sentence is ten years more than the average sentence for the crime, but significantly less than Mr Floyd’s family had asked for.It came after the court heard from Chauvin for the first time, as well as members of Mr Floyd’s family, who gave emotional victim impact statements.
Watch: The moment Chauvin sentenced to 22.5 years
The eyes of Derek Chauvin darted from left to right as Judge Peter Cahill sentenced the former officer to 22.5 years prison for the murder of George Floyd.
Watch the moment below:
ICYMI: Derek Chauvin breaks silence to claim he has information to give Floyd family ‘peace of mind’
One of the most curious moments from today’s sentencing was Derek Chauvin’s unexpected testimony on his own behalf, and the intriguing comments he made to the family of George Floyd. He suggested he has “information” that would give them peace of mind, but did not go into further detial.
The Independent’s Andrew Buncombe has the full story.
Derek Chauvin breaks silence to claim he has information to give ‘peace of mind’ at sentencing for George Floyd murder
Former officer sentenced to 22.5 years for murder of unarmed African American
Watch: 25 key moments from sentencing hearing after Derek Chauvin jailed for 22.5 years
From the daughter of George Floyd to the mother of Derek Chauvin, today’s sentencing hearing was filled with emotional pleas and suprising twists. The Ex-officer broke his silence for the first time while his defence defence attorney Eric Nelson said the case became the epicentre of the culture war and political divide in the United States, from entertainment and presidential elections and protests to conspiracy theories.
Watch the lead up to Judge Peter Cahill handing the 22.5 year sentence.
Scenes from Minneapolis as Derek Chauvin sentenced to 22.5 years prison
ICYMI: Derek Chauvin’s mind ‘littered with what ifs’
Derek Chauvin’s defense lawyer Eric Nelson has said his client was “not even scheduled to work” on 25 May 2020, the day that Chauvin killed George Floyd during an arrest.
Speaking before Chauvin’s sentencing, Mr Nelson said his client’s mind was filled with “what ifs” in the wake of Mr Floyd’s murder.
Chantal da Silva reports.
Derek Chauvin wasn’t meant to work the day he killed George Floyd, lawyer says
‘His brain is littered with ‘what ifs’ defense lawyer Eric Nelson said of Derek Chauvin
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