Derek Chauvin sentencing: Ex-officer sentenced to 22-and-a-half years in prison for George Floyd murder
Credit will be given for 199 days served
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Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, broke his silence to offer “condolences” to his family as Judge Peter Cahill sentenced him to 22 years and six months in prison.
The sentence marks 10 years above the 12.5-year guideline for second-degree unintentional murder, due to aggravating factors. Cahill said he wasn’t going to be “profound” in the court and instead pointed to a 22-page legal argument outlining the rationale for the determination.
It came after the court heard form Chauvin for the first time, as well as four members of the Floyd family.
“I want to give my condolences to 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,” Chauvin said.
Defence attorney Eric Nelson said whatever sentence Cahill decides, half will believe it’s too lenient and half too draconian or overbearing as the case became the epicentre of a culture war and political divide. “It has weaved its way into nearly every facet of our lives, from the entertainment that we consume to the presidential politics,” he said. “From protests to conspiracy theories”.
Apart from Chauvin himself and Nelson, the only other person to speak on the ex-officer’s behalf was his mother, Carolyn Pawlenty, who said she feared dying before her favourite son is released from prison. “Derek has played over and over in his head the events of that day. I have seen the toll it has taken on him.”
For the family of Floyd, his daughter, two brothers and nephew delivered victim impact statements asking the judge for the maximum sentence without the possibility of parole, probation or time off for good behaviour.
“Although Chauvin will be sentenced today and spend time in prison, he will have the luxury of seeing his family again, talking to them, he will likely get to spend time with them upon his release,” nephew Brandon Williams said.
“George’s murder, this trial, and everything in between has been tragically devastating, our family is forever broken and one thing we cannot get back is George Floyd.”
Hours before sentencing, the court ruled against the defence team’s request for a new trial or for a hearing on jury misconduct.
Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in April following an emotional and tense trial in Minneapolis.
Trump wanted military to ‘crack skulls’ of George Floyd protesters, book claims
CNN’s Jake Tapper said that a new book by The Wall Street Journal’s Michael Bender obtained by the broadcaster “paints a disturbing picture” of the former president’s White House.
An excerpt from the book claims that on 1 June 2020, amid a nationwide uproar following the death of Mr Floyd, Mr Trump told military officials that to “handle” protesters they needed to “crack their skulls”.
“Trump told his team that he wanted the military to go in and ‘beat the f*** out’ of the protesters. ‘Just shoot them,’” the book titled, Frankly, We Did Win This Election’: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost, alleges.
The Independent’s Louise Hall reports.
Trump wanted military to ‘crack skulls’ of George Floyd protesters, book claims
Former president called demonstrators ‘thugs’ amid nationwide outrage over racial injustice
Floyd family to speak at Chauvin sentencing
Philonise Floyd and Terrance Floyd will speak at the sentencing of Derek Chauvin for the murder of their brother George, attorney Ben Crump told The Associated Press.
Nephew Brandon Williams will also make a victim impact statement to Judge Peter Cahill as he considers the prison sentence for the murder conviction.
While the presumptive sentence for second-degree unintentional murder is 12.5 years, Cahill has already found aggravating factors that provide for sentencing above the guideline range.
The victim impact statements from Floyd’s family will also go towards the judge’s considerations when deciding the sentence.
White House ‘watching closely’ Chauvin sentencing
Press secretary Jen Psaki said at today’s daily briefing that the White House was watching the sentencing of Derek Chauvin “closely” but would wait until it is handed down before commenting.
“I don’t have anything to preview for you, I guess I should say at this point we’ll wait for the sentencing to come out,” Psaki said.
“As you know he has a close personal connection with the Floyd family and certainly I know they and we are watching this closely.”
Analysis: Why the Derek Chauvin verdict isn’t justice
Watch the full analysis with Independent TV.
Watch: Why the Derek Chauvin verdict isn’t justice | Analysis
On 20 April, a jury found former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty for the murder of George Floyd, a Black man. People around the world celebrated the outcome of this landmark trial with singing, applause and dancing in the streets. Following widespread anticipation, George’s family, campaigners and well-wishers welcomed this seminal decision. However, the collective struggle to breathe continues as Black people continue to die at the hands of the police and the US reckons with systemic racism that gives rise to tragedy.
What is sentencing precedent to consider?
Minnesota sentencing data for the five years through 2019 show that of 112 people sentenced for the same conviction as Chauvin, only two got maximum 40-year sentences. Both cases involved children who died due to abuse; both defendants had prior criminal records and struck plea deals.
The longest sentence during that time period for someone with no criminal history like Chauvin was 36 years, in another case involving the death of a child due to abuse. The sentence was appealed but upheld, with an appellate court finding it “was not excessive when a 13-month-old child was beaten to death.” - AP
Will Derek Chauvin speak at today’s sentencing?
Attorneys on both sides are expected to make brief arguments. Victims or family members of victims can also make statements about how they’ve been affected, but none have said publicly that they will.
Chauvin can talk if he wants, but it’s not clear if he will. Experts say it could be tricky for Chauvin to talk without implicating himself in a pending federal case accusing him of violating Floyd’s civil rights.
While some experts say Chauvin won’t talk, Mike Brandt, another defense attorney watching the case, said he thinks Chauvin will speak, and that he can say a few words without getting himself into legal trouble. “If I was him, I think I would want to try and let people know that I’m not a monster.”
Community members can submit impact statements online, and they may become part of the public record. - AP
Chauvin sentencing begins
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Watch: live as Derek Chauvin sentenced for George Floyd murder
Watch live as Derek Chauvin sentenced for George Floyd murder
Gianna Floyd speaks first as a shaved-head Derek Chauvin watches on
George Floyd’s daughter is giving the first victim impact statement at the sentencing of Derek Chauvin.
“I miss him all the time,” she said.
“I want to play with him,” she said when asked if she sees him again. “I want to play with him, have fun, go on a plane ride and that’s it.”
‘Our family is forever broken’ nephew says as family calls for maximum sentence
Brandon Williams asked the court for the maximum sentence of Derek Chauvin, saying their family is “forever broken” following the murder of his uncle George Floyd.
“Although Chauvin will be sentenced today and spend time in prison, he will have the luxury of seeing his family again, talking to them, he will likely get to spend time with them upon his release,” Williams said.
“George’s murder, this trial, and everything in between has been tragically devastating, our family is forever broken and one thing we cannot get back is George Floyd.”
Terrance Floyd holds back tears asking Chauvin ‘why’
The brother of George Floyd held back tears as he directed questions to Derek Chauvin to ask: “Why did you do it?”
“I just, over this last year and months, I actually talked to a few people and, um, 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,” he said.
“When you knew that he posed no threat anymore when he was handcuffed, why didn’t you at least get up, why you stayed there?”
Chauvin watched on behind a mask, showing no outward signs of emotion.
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