MINNEAPOLIS — The following are excerpts from statements made by family members of George Floyd, former police officer Derek Chauvin and Chauvin's mother during the sentencing hearing Friday.
Carolyn Pawlenty, mother of Chauvin:
"I am the mother of Derek Chauvin. I am here to speak on behalf of my entire family ... Derek devoted 19 years of his life to the Minneapolis Police Department. It has been difficult for me to hear and read what the media, public and prosecution team believe Derek to be — an aggressive, heartless and uncaring person. I can tell you that is far from the truth. My son's identity has also been reduced to that as a racist. I want this court to know that none of these things are true, and that my son is a good man. Derek always dedicated his life and time to the police department even on his days off. He would call in to see if they needed help. Derek is a quiet, thoughtful, honorable and selfless man. He has a big heart. And he always has put others before his own. The public will never know the loving and caring man he is, but his family does. Even though I have not spoken publicly, I have always supported him 100% and always will. Derek has played over and over in his head the events of that day. I have seen the toll it has taken on him. I believe a lengthy sentence will not serve Derek well. When you sentence my son, you will also be sentencing me. I will not be able to see Derek, talk to him on the phone or give him our special hug. Plus, the fact that when he is released, his father and I most likely will not be here. Derek: my happiest moment is when I gave birth to you. And my second is when I was honored to pin your police badge on you ... I have always believed in your innocence and I will never waiver from that."
Derek Chauvin:
"At this time, due to some additional legal matters at hand, I'm not able to give a full formal statement at this time. But very briefly, though, I do want to give my condolences to the 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."
George Floyd's family:
Seven-year-old daughter Gianna Floyd by video: "How did my dad get hurt?" "I want to play with him, have fun, go on a plane ride." "My dad used to always help me brush my teeth." "I miss you and I love you."
Floyd's nephew Brandon Williams speaking in court. "Chauvin killed George. Not only did he kill George but he also displayed a total lack of consideration for human life as he did so. You saw it, I saw it and millions of people across the country and globe ... The sudden murder of George has forever traumatized us. You may see us cry but the full extent of our pain and trauma will never be seen with the naked eye. ... It has been truly unimaginable ... Although Chauvin will be sentenced today and spend time in prison, he will have the luxury of seeing his family again, talking to them and he will likely get to spend time with them upon his release. These are all luxuries that my young cousin Gianna were robbed of when Chauvin made the active decision to kill her father. There will be no more birthday parties, no graduations, holiday gatherings or other family celebrations ... Our family is forever broken."
Terrence Floyd, Floyd's brother: "The facts of this case were proven beyond reasonable doubt and three guilty verdicts have been rendered. ... Any family member that has went through this, we are part of a fraternity of families, and it's not one of those, you know, fraternities that you enjoy ... I wanted to know from the man himself: why? What were you thinking? What was going through your head when you had your knee on my brother's neck? Why, when you knew that he posed no threat anymore, he was handcuffed, why didn't you at least get up? Why did you stay there? ... The last conversation me and my brother had was, he wanted to plan play dates with Gianna and my daughter. And we started setting it up. That can't happen ... My daughter's still young but I still have to explain to her because this is history, this is a case everybody knows about. So she's going to find out and I'm going to have to explain that to her ... On behalf of me and my family, we seek the maximum penalty. We don't want to see no more slaps on the wrist. We've been through that already ... because if the roles were reversed, there would be no case."
Philonise Floyd, Floyd's brother: "One year ago, May 25, my brother George was murdered by Derek Chauvin and his co-defendants in broad daylight, with a knee to his neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds. I was a trucker and immediately my life changed forever. I began to speak to the world for George from the United Nations, Africa, Canada, Japan and so many other countries. Everyday I have begged for justice to be served, reliving the execution of George ... I haven't had a real night's sleep because of the nightmares I constantly have hearing my brother beg and plead for his life over and over again ... For an entire year, I had to relive George being tortured to death every hour of the day ... I have been lifting my voice tirelessly every day so that George's death would not be in vain ... My family and I, most of all my niece Gianna, she needs closure ... my family and I have been given a life sentence. We will never be able to get George back."
———
.png?w=600)
