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Today, Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years with 199 days already served after he was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter of George Floyd this past April. The sentencing comes after a Minnesota judge denied a defense attorney's request for a new trial just this morning.
Prosecutors asked Minnesota District Court Judge Peter Cahill to sentence Chauvin to 30 years in prison while Chauvin’s lawyer requested that the judge him to probation with time served.
The three former Minneapolis police officers that are accused of aiding and abetting in Floyd's death, Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao, will face their trials in March 2022.
There were four victim impact statements read at the beginning of the sentencing, the first being the late Floyd’s seven-year-old daughter Gianna Floyd. “I ask about him all the time,” When asked about whether she wished her father was still here, she replied, “I do, but he still is [here].” Also delivering impact statements were the nephew (Brandon Williams) and brothers (Terrence and Philonise Floyd) of the deceased. Terrence directly addressed Chauvin during his statement, asking, ““What were you thinking? What was in your thoughts that day, when you had your knee on my brother’s neck?”
The mother of Chauvin also gave an impact statement, pleading with the judge to be lenient in sentencing and that her son is a “good man” and not racist.
Chauvin himself spoke briefly as well, giving his condolences to the Floyd family. He also said that there would be some information to come to light in the future that may give the family “some peace of mind.”
After arguments read by both sides of the court and a 15-minute recess, Judge Cahill delivered his sentencing. He said that the sentence is not based on “emotions or sympathy [or] public opinion.” He attached a 22-page memorandum to the paperwork filed as well.
In addition to this sentencing, a federal grand jury has also indicted Chauvin (as well as the other three officers involved) for violating Floyd's civil rights. This could very well add time to his current sentence. These charges accuse the officers of breaking a federal law that forbids government officials from abusing their authority.