Derek Chauvin breaks silence to claim he has information to give ‘peace of mind’ at sentencing for George Floyd murder

Former officer sentenced to 22.5 years for murder of unarmed African American

Derek Chauvin has broken his silence to claim he has information to give “peace of mind” to the family of George Floyd – as he was sentenced for his murder.

In briefs comments to the court shortly before he was sentenced to twenty-two-and-a-half years in jail, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted earlier this year, said he wanted to offer his condolences to the victims’s family.

“I want to give my condolences to the Floyd family,” he said.

He added: “There is going to be some other information in the future that would be of interest and I hope that things will give you some peace of mind, thank you.”

There was speculation that Chuavin, 45, could have been sentenced to as many as 40 years, which would have been the maximum available. Prosecutors had asked for 30 years, which was the highest permitted by state sentencing guidelines.

When he approached the lectern with his lawyer, Eric Nelson, Chauvin indicated to judge Peter Cahill, that due “to some additional legal matters at hand, I’m not able to give a full formal statement at this time”.

It appears that was a reference to the fact, Chauvin still faces federal civil rights charges in Floyd’s death. Noticeably, Chauvin has never offered an apology.

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Chauvin was convicted in a unanimous verdict in April of killing the 46-year-old unarmed African-American man in Minneapolis last May.

He had been charged with unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

The charges followed the arrest of Chauvin and three other Minneapolis Police Department officers.

Their arrest in turn had come after several days of protests by residents of Minneapolis, their emotions heightened after video taken by bystanders, showed the officer kneeling on the man’s neck for more than nine minutes, even as he gasped: “I can’t breathe”.

The three other officers have also been charged. They are currently awaiting trial.

While several members of the Floyd family spoke of the impact it had on them, including he dead man’s seven-year-old daughter Gianna, there were few to speak on behalf of Chauvin.

An exception was Chauvin’s mother, Carolyn Pawlenty, the mother of Derek Chauvin, who told the court her son is “a good man” and someone who “always dedicated his life and time to the police department.”

“Even on his days off, he would call to see if they needed help,” she said.

She added: “It’s 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.”

Mr Nelson said he hoped the sentencing “brings forth principled debate and civil public discourse and ultimately leaves a positive effect on the city of Minneapolis”.

He added: “The impact it’s had on the community is profound. It goes far beyond what happened on May 25th of last year. It’s been at the forefront of our national consciousness and has weaved its way into every, nearly every facet of our lives from entertainment that we consume to the presidential politics.”

He said he hoped the city and the nation would be able to move on from the events.

“In the end, it’s my sincere hope when this proverbial dust settles, the community impact brings forth principled debate and civil public discourse and ultimately leaves a positive effect on the city of Minneapolis, city of Minnesota and the United States.”