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.
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the sentencing of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd.
When will proceedings begin?
Derek Chauvin’s sentencing is set to take place at 1.30pm CT (19.30pm BST) at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Derek Chauvin trial re-cap
Key moments from the trial of former cop Derek Chauvin over George Floyd’s killing
The case will head to the jury on Monday after closing arguments
What was Derek Chauvin convicted of?
Derek Chauvin was convicted of all three charges he faced at trial: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter.
The unanimous decision came after 15 days of emotional court testimony. The jury deliberated for about 10 hours before coming to their conclusion.
Chauvin was recorded kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes while he pleaded for air and eventually lost consciousness in a now-infamous bystander video, sparking global outrage.
Where has Chauvin been since he was convicted?
Derek Chauvin’s sentencing is taking place two months after he was convicted of the murder of George Floyd and had initially been scheduled for 16 June before it was pushed back in April.
Since his conviction, Chauvin has been held at the state's only maximum security prison, in Oak Park Heights.
The former officer is held away from the general population for his safety, in a 10-by-10-foot cell, with meals brought to his room. He is allowed out for solitary exercise for an hour a day.
It's not clear if Chauvin will remain there after learning his sentencing. State prison officials said that decision wouldn't be made until after Judge Peter Cahill's formal sentencing order.
Reporting by the Associated Press
Derek Chauvin could face decades long sentence for George Floyd’s death
Derek Chauvin could face decades long sentence for George Floyd’s death
Chauvin, 45, faces decades in prison, with several legal experts predicting a sentence of 20 to 25 years.
How long will Derek Chauvin get in prison?
Derek Chauvin could be set to face decades in prison ahead of his sentencing on Friday with several legal experts predicting a sentence of 20 to 25 years.
Danielle Zoellner explains the ins and outs of the complex sentencing guidelines in Minneapolis below:
How long will Derek Chauvin get in prison and what does the George Floyd verdict mean?
How many years will Derek Chauvin get in jail?
An inside look at Derek Chauvin’s cell
After Derek Chauvin was convicted of the murder of George Floyd, he had his bail revoked by Judge Pete Cahill and was transported to the state’s only maximum security prison, in Oak Park Heights.
Undated photos provided by the Minnesota Department of Corrections have given an insight into a cell similar to Chavin’s at the Oak Park Heights facility where he has been held since April.
The 10-by10 foot bare cell features a metal toilet alongside minimal living fixtures and intense security measures.
Chauvin is held away from the general population for his safety due to the high profile nature of his arrest. He is allowed out for solitary exercise for an hour a day.
What sentence is the prosecution and defence hoping for respectively?
State seeks 30 years for Chauvin; defense wants time served
Prosecutors are seeking a 30-year sentence for the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd, but a defense attorney is asking that Derek Chauvin be sentenced to probation and time already served
Will Derek Chauvin speak at the sentencing?
Derek Chauvin will have the chance to make a statement during his sentencing on Friday, but legal experts have predicted it is not clear if will choose to speak.
The ex-police officer refused to testify during the trial itself and experts predict it could be tricky for Chauvin to talk without implicating himself in the pending federal case against him.
After Chauvin invoked the 5th Amendment in court in Minneapolis, jurors were required to instead interpret video clips and other evidence to inform their opinion of Chauvin’s mindset on the day of Floyd’s death.
“We got to control this guy ‘cause he’s a sizable guy ... and it looks like he’s probably on something,” Chauvin said on 25 May in one of the only explanations that he has given.
Several experts said they doubted that Chauvin would take the risk and speak, but Brandt thought he would.
“I think it’s his chance to tell the world, ‘I didn’t intend to kill him,”’ Mike Brandt, a local defense attorney who as closely been following the case, said.
He added: “If I was him, I think I would want to try and let people know that I’m not a monster.”
Reporting by the Associated Press