Derek Chauvin, the white police officer convicted in April of the murder of George Floyd, was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison by the Minneapolis court.
The sentencing schedule in Minnesota called for a minimum of 12 and a half years in prison for the 45-year-old officer, who had been incarcerated as soon as the verdict was announced. But Judge Peter Cahill, who pronounced the sentence, had retained four aggravating circumstances paving the way for a clearly heavy sentence.
“What the sentence is not based on is emotion, or sympathy, but at the same time, I want to acknowledge the deep and tremendous pain that all the families are feeling, especially the Floyd family,” said Judge Peter Cahill. The judge said Derek Chauvin’s sentence was based “on your abuse of a position of trust and authority, and also the particular cruelty shown” to Mr Floyd.
Mr Floyd, 48, died after Chauvin knelt on his neck for nine minutes. His murder caused global protests racism and police brutality. Chauvin, 45, was convicted of second-degree murder and other charges last month. During his trial, his lawyer described the killing as “an error made in good faith”.
Chauvin was also told to register as a predatory offender and was barred from owning firearms for life. He and three other former officers are separately charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights.
The Floyd family and their supporters welcomed the sentence. “This historic sentence brings the Floyd family and our nation one step closer to healing by delivering closure and accountability,” lawyer Ben Crump tweeted. Mr Floyd’s sister Bridgett Floyd said the sentence “shows that matters of police brutality are finally being taken seriously” but there was still “a long way to go”.
President Joe Biden said the sentence “seemed to be appropriate” but admitted that he did not know all the details. During the sentencing hearing, Mr Floyd’s brother Terrence Floyd demanded the maximum available, a sentence of 40 years.
“Why? What were you thinking? What was going through your head when you had your knee on my brother’s neck?” he said. Mr Floyd’s daughter Gianna, aged seven, appeared in a video recording, saying she missed him and she loved him. “I ask about him all the time,” she said. “My daddy always used to help me brush my teeth.”
