Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22-and-a-half years in prison for murdering black man George Floyd.
Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill agreed with prosecutors that there were aggravating factors in Chauvin’s case. Chauvin’s sentence is longer than Minnesota’s guidelines for 12 years, but not the 30 years that the prosecution asked for.
‘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,’ Cahill said. ‘You have our sympathies and I acknowledge the pain that you are feeling.’
Cahill continued: ‘It has been painful throughout Hennepin County, throughout the state of Minnesota and throughout the country, but most importantly we need to recognize the pain of the Floyd family.’
The judge said he intended to keep his remarks short and that his reasoning was explained in a 22-page sentencing memorandum.
Chauvin was taken into custody immediately after hearing his sentence to start serving it.
Chauvin’s attorney Eric Nelson had asked that his client get probation and time served, or less prison time than the 10-and-a-half to 15 years that Minnesota recommends for people like Chauvin who do not have a criminal history.
Meanwhile, prosecutors had asked for 30 years, arguing that four aggravating factors were at play supporting a higher term than the state guidelines.
Cahill in recent weeks ruled that four ‘aggravating factors’ applied to Chauvin’s case, suggesting that he would get a higher sentence than the state guidelines. Cahill found that Chauvin acted with particular cruelty towards Floyd, abused his position of authority, acted with the participation of three fellow cops, and committed his crime in the presence of children.
The judge said Chauvin would be credited with 199 days already served behind bars toward his sentence. He will be held in solitary confinement for his safety.
Hours before the sentencing hearing, Chauvin was denied a motion for a new trial.
A jury in April found Chauvin guilty on all charges against him – second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Chauvin is the second police officer in modern history in Minnesota to be sentenced to jail time for murdering a civilian while on duty.
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