Policeman who killed George Floyd was sentenced to 22,5 years in prison

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22,5 years for the murder of George Floyd last year. Writes about it USA Today.

Photo: Shutterstock

The 45-year-old Chauvin was supposed to be behind bars for about 15 years.

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill said the verdict was not based on "emotion" or "empathy," but said "we must acknowledge the pain of the Floyd family."

Chauvin had previously expressed "condolences" to Floyd's family, but did not apologize for his actions leading to Floyd's death. He said he was unable to speak due to another ongoing trial.

Chauvin's mother also spoke, as well as Floyd's 7-year-old daughter Gianna, nephew and brothers. Floyd's family and lawyers have called on the court to give Chauvin the maximum sentence.

“This is not your typical second-degree murder,” prosecutor Matthew Frank said. “This is an outrageous case.”

In April, a jury found Chauvin guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He could receive up to 30 years in prison.

Caroline Pawlenty, Chauvin's mother, told the court that the media, the public and the prosecution group had mistakenly portrayed her son as aggressive and heartless.

“I want the court to know that none of this is true and that my son is a good person,” Pawlenty said. “Derek is a quiet, thoughtful, noble and selfless person. He has a big heart and has always put others before himself. The public will never know what a loving and caring person he is, but his family does."

Pawlenty said Chauvin replays the events of that day over and over in his head. “I saw the trauma it caused him,” she said. “I think a long sentence will not serve Derek well.” When you sentence my son, you will also sentence me.”

Speaking directly to her son, she told him that her happiest moment was his birth.

“Derek, I want you to know that I have always believed in your innocence, and I will never give that up,” Pawlenty said. “I have received many letters from people all over the world who also believe in your innocence.”

Chauvin's lawyer, Eric Nelson, said the case is "at the epicenter of a cultural and political divide" in the U.S. "We tried to focus on the facts," he said, noting how divisive people were about the case.

Floyd's family calls for a harsh sentence

Floyd's daughter Gianna told the court that she wished she could play with him and ask him to help her brush her teeth, as he did every night.

Gianna told the court that she knows that her father is still by her side in the form of a spirit. If she could tell him anything, she would say, "I miss you and I love you."

Floyd's nephew, Brandon Williams, and brothers, Terrence and Philonisa Floyd, also spoke out, asking the court to give Chauvin the maximum sentence.

On the subject: The police did not strangle George Floyd: the lawyer released an unexpected video

“My family and I have been sentenced to life imprisonment. We can never bring George back,” Philonise Floyd said.

Terrence Floyd said he would ask Chauvin, who was sitting just a few feet away, “Why? What were you thinking? What was going on in your head when you pressed your knee on my brother's neck? "

At times, he stopped in excitement and looked down.

The judge rejected the request for a new trial

Judge Jude Peter Cahill rejected the attorney's request for a new trial.

Erik Nelson, Chauvin's lawyer, filed a motion for a new trial as Aries was denied his constitutional right to a fair trial, but Cahill said Nelson was unable to prove any of the charges.

What you need to know about the sentence

Floyd died on Memorial Day 2020 when Chauvin, 45, used a choke hold. Passers-by filmed the incident and the killing sparked nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism.

Although Chauvin was found guilty on three counts, he will only be sentenced on the most serious count, since all charges are based on a single act committed against one person. For first-time offenders who commit second-degree murder, sentencing guidelines recommend imprisonment for 150 months or 12,5 years.

Defense attorney Eric Nelson opposed the harsher sentence, saying the state had failed to prove aggravating circumstances. Nelson demanded a new trial and hearing due to what he called jury misconduct.

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Regardless of the sentence, a defendant for good behavior is likely to serve two-thirds of his sentence in prison, with the remainder of his sentence being parole. Chauvin will also receive a time reduction after he went to jail in April.

Thomas Lane, J. Kuang and Tou Tao, three former Minneapolis police officers accused of aiding Floyd's murder, will stand trial in March.

Meanwhile, a federal grand jury has indicted Chauvin, Lane, Keung and Tao of violating Floyd's civil rights, which could increase the sentences for former officers. They are accused of violating federal law prohibiting officials from abusing their powers.

Violating someone's civil rights is punishable by “up to life imprisonment or death” depending on the circumstances and the injuries sustained as a result of the crime, according to the Department of Justice.

Chauvin is also facing another federal charge in connection with a confrontation with a 14-year-old in 2017.

As ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• On May 27, George Floyd, an African American from Minneapolis, died after a Minneapolis police officer strangled him with a knee. Officer Derek Chauvin was fired and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter; three other officers also lost their jobs. Protests and riots subsequently eruptedand in Minneapolis and across the country.
• The Minnesota state governor said protests over the death of African-American George Floyd, spanning dozens of US cities, are already not related to murder, but provoked by visiting radicals.
• Protests in Minneapolis sharply intensified in the evening of May 27when city police took action in response to looted and burned shops in the city, as well as fatal shooting at a protest venue.
• May 31 truck drove into a crowd of protesters in Minneapolis (Minnesota). At the wheel of a car was a US citizen, presumably of Ukrainian origin, Bogdan Vechirko. He was arrested, but on June 2 released from custody awaiting further investigation. Eventually no charges were brought against him.
• About 40 cities, including Los Angeles, Miami, Detroit, and Philadelphia, banned street demonstrations after dark. Texas and Virginia Governors introduced a state of emergency.
• In connection with protests in US cities embassies of Ukraine and Russia asked their citizenslocated in the United States, maintain order and avoid crowds wherever possible and comply with security measures.
• June 1, Donald Trump enacted the law of 1807, allowing him send riot troops in connection with the death of George Floyd.
• According to the official autopsy of George Floyd, his death was caused by mechanical asphyxia and should be considered violent.
• On June 4, former Minneapolis police officers identified as accomplices in the murder of George Floyd during his arrest, taken into custody.
• On April 6, Derek Chauvin's lawyer presented a video in court. The footage reveals that the officer did not actually choke Floyd with his knee, as previously thought. The video was filmed with a chest camera of one of the police officers involved in the arrest of Floyd. On frames You can seethat Chauvin's knee rests not on Floyd's neck, but on his back.
• 21 April Jury found police officer Derek Chauvin guilty in the murder of African American George Floyd

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