After hearing impact statements from members of the Floyd family and his mother, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years, 270 months, in prison by Judge Peter Cahill Friday afternoon for murdering George Floyd. Prosecutors sought a 30-year sentence, with a maximum sentence being 40 years.
In sentencing Chauvin, Cahill wrote a 22-page memorandum, keeping his oral comments brief to explain his legal analysis. Cahill stated, “I’m not going to attempt to be profound or clever, because this is not the appropriate time.”
Chauvin was convicted of one count of second degree murder, one count of third degree murder and one count of second degree manslaughter for May 25, 2020 death of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man. Police were called because Floyd was suspected of passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a local convenience store.
With at least two other officers standing by, Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck and back for more than nine consecutive minutes, causing a constriction of his breathing which led to a heart attack. Chauvin faced a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison on all counts.
Floyd’s death instigated nationwide and international protests, sparking a national Black Lives Matter movement.
Before announcing the sentence, the court and Judge Cahill–with Chauvin sitting at the defendant’s table–heard victim impact statements from four people: Floyd’s daughter seven-year-old Gianna; his nephew Brandon Williams; one of his brothers, Terrence Floyd; and Philonise Floyd, his another brother. Chauvin sat emotionless.
Gianna talked about missing her daddy being there when she brushed her teeth at night. An emotional Terrence Floyd said he wanted to know “why”: what was running through Chauvin’s head as he kneeled on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes as Floyd laid there dying. Philonise Floyd noted how his life changed after the death of his brother, “reliving the execution of George” on a daily basis and the vivid nightmares he experiences. Philonise asked the court provide closure for Gianna, while noting that his family has effectively been given a “death sentence” of their own. Philonise remarked that Chauvin acted “with a smirk on his face” as George Floyd died under his knee.
Seeking an “upward departure” from sentencing guidelines, prosecutors stressed the four aggravating factors that should add to the sentence: abusing a position of trust and authority; Chauvin treated Floyd with cruelty; Chauvin committed the crime as part of a group, with the other officers involved facing trial later this year; and children were present while the crime occurred.
Chauvin’s mother, Carolyn Pawlenty, asked for mercy on behalf of the entire family, saying that her son devoted 19 years of his life to the community as a police officer. She said that Chauvin’s characterization in the media is not true and that her “son is a good man.” She said, “He has a big heart, and always put others’ before his own.”
“When you sentence my son, you will also be sentencing me,” she said, before directing emotional comments to her son. Chauvin remained emotionless as his mother stated that neither she nor his father would likely be alive when he got out of prison.
Chauvin’s lawyer, Eric Nelson, noted that this “case is at a cultural and a political divide,” saying that no side will satisfied with the sentence imposed. Nelson argued “both sides” have strong opinions about the potential sentence, as evidenced by the volume of emails and messages sent to Nelson and the judge. He asked that the Court look at mitigating factors, including Chauvin proudly served as a 19-year police officer, doing his duty without complaint. Chauvin was decorated for valor and for saving others’ lives, as well as being an Army veteran.
“He’s coming in this not as someone who is a career criminal,” Nelson said. “He comes into this as someone who has lived an honorable life.”
“This is a case that has changed the world to some degree,” Nelson said, “and I hope it’s in a positive way.”
Derek Chauvin himself refused to give a full statement “due to some legal circumstances” that are on going, but ambiguously said that there were some things that were going to come out that would help the mourning Floyd family.