Derek Chauvin sentenced to 22.5 years in prison for George Floyd’s murder

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd, has been sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison.

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd, will be sentenced Friday afternoon. Prosecutors are requesting a 30-year prison sentence, while Chauvin’s defense attorney is calling for little time behind bars or even probation.

Hours before the hearing, Judge Peter Cahill denied Chauvin’s motion for a new trial, saying his attorney failed to prove abuses from the court as well as prosecutorial or juror misconduct.

In April, Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin has been held at the state’s only maximum-security prison, the Minnesota Correctional Facility—Oak Park Heights.

To watch the sentencing, you can do so below or by following this link.

Graphic videos captured Chauvin, who is White, kneeling on the neck of Floyd, who is Black, for more than nine minutes during a May 2020 arrest. Footage of the fatal encounter sparked outrage and re-ignited a nationwide movement against police reform and racial injustice.

Three other former officers involved in Floyd’s fatal arrest also face state and federal charges.

Floyd’s brothers call for maximum sentence

In his statement, George Floyd’s brother, Terrence, called for the maximum penalty in Chauvin’s sentencing Friday.

“What was going through your head when you had your knee on my brother’s neck?” he asked.

Philonise, another of Floyd’s brothers, also called for maximum sentencing, mentioning that Floyd will miss major milestones of his daughter Gianna’s life.

Floyd’s nephew, Brandon, said the murder of his relative has “traumatized us.”

“The full extent of our pain and trauma will never be seen with the naked eye. The heartbreak and hurt goes beyond any number of tears we could ever cry,” Brandon said. “George’s murder, his trial and everything in between has been tragic and devastating. Our family is forever broken.”

Chauvin’s mother calls for shorter sentence: “A lengthy sentence will not serve Derek well”

Derek Chauvin’s mother, Carolyn Pawlenty, said her son is a good man and pleaded for a shorter sentence. “When you sentence my son, you will also be sentencing me,” Pawlenty said.

She described Chauvin as “thoughtful, honorable and selfless,” and said his conviction has taken a toll on him and their family.  “He has a big heart and he always has put others before his own,” she said.