Derek Chauvin Sentenced To 20 Years In Jail For Violating George Floyd's Civil Rights
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Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 20 years and five months in jail for violating George Floyd's civil rights.
The ex-Minneapolis police officer is already serving 22 and a half years in prison for the murder and manslaughter of the unarmed man, which happened during an arrest in May 2020.
Floyd's murder sparked a huge resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement around the world.
In addition to being charged with second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, Chauvin faced a separate charge relating to civil rights.
The 46-year-old pleaded guilty in December and admitted he violated Floyd's civil rights not to face 'unreasonable seizure' when he knelt on his neck and back for nearly 10 minutes during an arrest.
Floyd repeatedly yelled that he couldn't breathe during the dramatic arrest before eventually losing consciousness and dying.
The sentence length was handed down after Chauvin agreed to a plea deal that could have seen him spend up to 25 years behind bars, according to The Guardian.
US District Judge Paul Magnuson said Chauvin had to be 'held accountable' for his crimes.
The former police officer will now be transferred from a state prison, where he was serving his murder sentence, to a federal prison.
The Daily Mail reports that federal prisons are 'considered by many to be a far safer and less restrictive place to serve time'.
Chauvin's 20-year sentence for civil rights violations will run concurrently with his 22.5-year sentence for murder and manslaughter.
The 46-year-old said he 'wishes all the best' for George Floyd's children.
He didn't offer any direct apology or remorse to Floyd's family.
Featured Image Credit: Minnesota Department of Corrections via Sipa USA. Ben Crump Law
Topics: George Floyd, News, US News
