Derek Chauvin Sentenced To 22 Years In Prison For George Floyd Murder

Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22-and-a-half years in prison for the murder of George Floyd.

The disgraced former Minneapolis police officer was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter of Mr Floyd earlier this year.

During the sentencing comments, Judge Peter Cahill said his ruling was not based on sympathy and he didn't want to use his comments to be 'profound', as that was 'not appropriate'.

He also provided a 22-page memorandum on his sentencing, which fell short of the 30 years Mr Floyd's family had wanted.

Mr Floyd, a father-of-five, was killed during an encounter with Chauvin and other officers on 25 May 2020.

The 46-year-old died after Chauvin knelt on his neck for nine minutes and 25 seconds, despite his repeated claims that he couldn't breathe.

Ahead of his sentencing, Chauvin's lawyers had asked the judge for a retrial, but the request was denied.

Ben Crump Law

During the trial back in April, prosecutors said that Chauvin had squeezed the life out of Floyd by pinning his knee against his neck, and that he 'had to know' he was dying.

Chauvin's defence had tried to claim that he had acted reasonably during the arrest.

However, Chauvin was eventually convicted of his murder.

After the closing arguments, Judge Cahill rejected a defence request for a mis-trial.

This was based partly on comments by California representation Maxine Waters, who told the media during a demonstration: "We've got to stay on the street and we've got to get more active, we've got to get more confrontational, we've got to make sure that they know we mean business."

Benjamin Crump, a lawyer for the Floyd family, said in a statement following the guilty verdict that justice had been served.

He said: "Painfully earned justice has arrived for George Floyd's family and the community here in Minneapolis, but today's verdict goes far beyond this city and has significant implications for the country and even the world.

"Justice for Black America is justice for all of America.

"This case is a turning point in American history for accountability of law enforcement and sends a clear message we hope is heard clearly in every city and every state."

PA

Ahead of the verdict being heard, US President Joe Biden said he was 'praying that the verdict is the right verdict'.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Biden confirmed he had called Mr Floyd's family, adding that he 'can only imagine the pressure and anxiety they're feeling'.

He said: "They're a good family and they're calling for peace and tranquillity no matter what that verdict is.

"I'm praying the verdict is the right verdict. It's overwhelming, in my view. I wouldn't say that unless the jury was sequestered now."

Topics: George Floyd, US News, Murder, court

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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