Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin hears his verdicts for the 2020 death of George Floyd.
(Picture: AP)Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who was convicted for the murder of George Floyd, has been sentenced to 22 and a half years despite the Floyd family suggesting the maximum sentence of 40.
In May 2020, Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for a record nine minutes and 29 seconds as Floyd desperately, and continually, communicated his not being able to breathe. Laying facedown on the asphalt outside a convenience store with hands cuffed behind his back, Floyd was unable to move, ultimately losing consciousness and passing away.
Authorities were initially called to the store when Floyd allegedly used a fake $20 bill to pay for cigarettes.
The murder, which was harrowingly captured on video, provoked nation-wide protests regarding the racial injustices that occur within the United States, calling attention to the unjust loss of Black lives to unreasonably violent law enforcement.
Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and a second-degree manslaughter charge in April in the emotional trial that the world followed closely. This case also prompted a call to action to police officers using excessive force, including how to legally protect police officers should someone die in their custody.
Mere hours before the sentencing, Chauvin’s request for a new trial was denied by the judge. Per New York Post, Chauvin’s attorney filed the motion in an attempt to delay sentencing, also appealing for a “hearing over potential jury misconduct.” Minnesota Judge Peter Cahill denied both.
The state of Minnesota had asked for Chauvin to face 30 years, while his lawyer requested probation and time served.
On June 25, several family members delivered moving impact statements prior to the sentencing. “My family and I have been given a life sentence. We will never be able to get George back,” said Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd.
Terrence Floyd: "I wanted to know from the man himself, Why?"https://t.co/5orl9XgVMp pic.twitter.com/IBIxmpGvx9
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) June 25, 2021
Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's brother: "Everyday I have begged for justice to be served ... George's life mattered ... I am asking that you please find it suitable to give Officer Chauvin the maximum sentence possible. ... My family and I have been given a life sentence."
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) June 25, 2021
The Floyd family asks Judge Peter Cahill to give Chauvin the maximum sentence. #DerekChauvinSentencing
— Ana Lastra (@AnaViLastra) June 25, 2021
Following statements from George Floyd’s family, Prosecutor Matthew Frank made a statement. “This is not the typical second-degree murder. This is egregious,” he asserted, requesting Cahill sentence Chauvin to 30 years. Chauvin’s mother then spoke for the first time, claiming her son is a “good man.”
Derek Chauvin’s mom reminded her son in court, there’s no stronger bond than a mother’s bond…. Which only reminded me, that’s why #GeorgeFloyd cried for his mommy as Chauvin murdered him. #ChauvinSentencing
— kendis (@kendisgibson) June 25, 2021
Not that it would be particularly expected, but no acknowledgement by Derek Chauvin's mother in any way of the George Floyd family or what happened to Floyd.
— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) June 25, 2021
Notable that no police officers offered impact statements for Chauvin. And of course his mother spoke up for him. Just about every murderer’s mama loves them.
— Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid 😷 (@JoyAnnReid) June 25, 2021
Chauvin’s defense lawyer, Eric J. Nelson, then took to the podium to share some thoughts of which Twitter users were not especially fond.
Hahahaha, the defense just referred to "justice" as "a rather nebulous term." Not a great lawyer I don't think. #DerekChauvinSentencing
— Patrizio della Luna Ultrasinístra (@alterokdte) June 25, 2021
Chauvin's defense lawyer: "I intend to be brief"
— End Stage Capitalism (@capitalism_end) June 25, 2021
Also Chauvin's defense lawyer, while rambling on: "... one of his superior officers said if he was asked to dig a ditch, he would do it..."
CW: Chauvin Sentencing
— Sirgey Composition (@SirgeyC) June 25, 2021
I know the defense lawyer didn't just use the Clerks defense of "he wasn't even supposed to be there that day" as a mitigating factor in sentencing for a convicted murderer. Are you fucking kidding me?
Following a 15 minute recess to review the statements, Judge Cahill took to the podium to share his decision, the explanation of which would be delivered in writing.
Cahill says he will issue a 22-page memorandum attached to the sentencing. His comments from the bench will be brief. He says sentencing is a "legal analysis" so he wants to detail in writing.
— Rochelle Olson (@rochelleolson) June 25, 2021
Ultimately, Mr. Chauvin was sentenced to 270 months— 22 and a half years—granting credit for 199 days already served. Here’s how the internet has reacted so far.
It's just a conflicted emotional response in that it's rare for a police officer to receive this kind of sentence but I don't know that there is a satisfying or acceptable sentence for this kind of crime.
— roxane gay (@rgay) June 25, 2021
Derek Chauvin is a murderer.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) June 25, 2021
A murderer who watched multiple people plead for the life of the man he killed in broad daylight.
A murderer who placed the full weight of his body on another human being’s neck and felt the life drain out of him.
Derek Chauvin is a murderer.
To be clear, Derek Chauvin doesn’t ever deserve to be a free man.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) June 25, 2021
The Floyd family specifically called for Chauvin to receive the maximum sentence of 40 years, yet he faces just over half of that.
22.5 years.
— Elizabeth Grattan (@egrattan) June 25, 2021
I don’t know man, that doesn’t feel like nearly enough.
22.5 years for a “fake” 20 dollar bill and 9 minutes and 29 seconds of torture.
— MΞGAN KΞLLΞY HALL (@MeganKelleyHall) June 25, 2021
Justice?
I don’t think so. #ChauvinSentencing
We will continue to update this post as the story unfolds.
