Derek Chauvin is going to prison for the murder of George Floyd. A judge in Minneapolis on Friday sentenced the former city police officer to 22 and a half years behind bars, reports the AP. Prosecutors had asked for 30 years, while Chauvin's legal team said he deserved only probation. The 45-year-old Chauvin was previously convicted of murder and manslaughter charges after he pinned his knee to Floyd's neck and kept it there for more than nine minutes during an arrest in May 2020. With good behavior, he could be paroled in 15 years. Prior to sentencing, Chauvin himself addressed the court, per the Star Tribune:
- "At this time due to some additional legal matters at hand I'm not able to really give a full formal statement at this time," he said. "Briefly though, I do want to give my condolences to the Floyd family. There's gonna be some other information in the future that would be of interest and I hope things will give you some peace of mind. Thank you."
Examples of other statements before the sentencing, per CNN:
- Chauvin's mother: "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," said Carolyn Pawlenty. "I can tell you that is far from the truth." Chauvin is a "good man," she said.
- Floyd's brother: "On behalf of me and my family, we seek the maximum penalty," said Terence Floyd. "We don't want to see no more slaps on the wrist. We've been through that already... no, no, no, no."
- Floyd's daughter: 7-year-old Gianna Floyd delivered a victim impact statement via video. Asked what she would tell her father if she could see him again, she answered, "It would be I miss you and I love you."
- Another brother: "Every day, I have begged for justice to be served, reliving the execution of George while others begged and pleaded for officer Chauvin to simply just allow George to take a breath," said Philonise Floyd. "I haven't had a real night's sleep because of the nightmares I constantly have, hearing my brother beg and plead for his life over and over again. Even saying, 'They're going to kill me, please, officer,' screaming for our mom.'"
- More to come: This is far from the end of the Chauvin-Floyd saga. Chauvin will almost certainly appeal, plus he faces separate federal civil rights charges. And three other fired Minneapolis officers are awaiting trials of their own.
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