In addition to the murder charges he was convicted of following the death of George Floyd, Derek Chauvin was just sentenced for charges pertaining to the violation of the civil rights of George Floyd.
According to Axios, Chauvin plead guilty to two federal civil rights charges, which included “the use of excessive force.” Floyd died while Chauvin kneeled on his neck for more than nine minutes during his arrest in May 2020.
The second charge in this particular case was in relation to a different encounter with a 14-year-old boy in 2017. In this case, the AP reports that Chauvin “held the boy by the throat, hit him in the head with a flashlight and held his knee on the boy’s neck and upper back while he was prone, handcuffed and not resisting.”
As Axios further revealed, Chauvin received a 21-year sentence with time served on July 7. U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson, who presided over this hearing said, “I really don’t know why you did what you did. To put your knee on a person’s neck until they expired is simply wrong. … Your conduct is wrong and it is offensive.”
While addressing the court Chauvin did not apologize, Axios reports, instead, he said, he hopes Floyd’s children have “excellent guidance in becoming good adults.”
Derek Chauvin’s Original Sentence, Makes Cryptic Statement, While George Floyd’s Brother Tells the Former Officer ‘I Love You’
In the courtroom, more than one year ago, on June 25, four members of George Floyd‘s family gave victim impact statements before former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced for his crimes. One of the four family members was Floyd’s 7-year-old daughter.
Her statement was pre-recorded and talked about what she missed the most about her father. According to CNN, Gianna Floyd said, “I ask about him all the time,” before someone off camera asked her what she would tell her father if she could see him again, “It would be I miss you and I love you.”
Floyd’s brother, Philonise, also spoke to the court.
“Every day, I have begged for justice to be served, reliving the execution of George while others begged and pleaded for officer Chauvin to simply just allow George to take a breath. I haven’t had a real night’s sleep because of the nightmares I constantly have, hearing my brother beg and plead for his life over and over again. Even saying, ‘they’re going to kill me, please, officer,’ screaming for our mom.”
Philonise Floyd, said, in part.
Additionally, Floyd’s younger brother, Terrence, said if he could speak to Chauvin, he would tell him he loves him.
“I’m a man. I’m a Black man. I’m strong. I’m intelligent. I don’t have to act like an animal. But I’m going to let you know my feelings. I don’t like it. I love you. But I don’t like you.”
Chauvin also addressed the courtroom. In his brief statement, Chauvin said, “I want to give my condolences to the Floyd family. There’s going to be some other information in the future that would be of interest and I hope things will give you some peace of mind.”
As CNN reported, it is unclear what the “other information” Chauvin spoke about in his statement is. Chauvin’s mother also spoke at the hearing.
“On Nov. 25, 2020, not only did Derek’s life change forever, but so did mine and my family’s. Derek devoted 19 years of his life to the Minneapolis Police Department,” Pawlenty said in court before the sentencing of her son. “It’s been difficult for me to hear and read what the media, public and prosecution team believe Derek to be an aggressive, heartless and uncaring person. I can tell you that is far from the truth.”
Carolyn Pawlenty, said, in part
According to CNN, going into the sentencing hearing, the former officer faced 40 years for second-degree murder, 25 years for third-degree murder, and 10 years for manslaughter. The prosecution had asked for 30 years, while the defense fought for probation, plus time served.
In the end, Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison.
Chauvin actions were seen around the world as he knelt on the neck of George Floyd for more than 9 minutes. Floyd at the time was handcuffed on the ground and lying on his stomach. During that time, recorded videos of the fatal arrest showed Floyd yelling out, multiple times, that he could not breathe.
On April 20, 2021, a jury found the former police officer guilty of the unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter of 46-year-old George Floyd. The jury came to the unanimous decision following a three-week-long trial, the jury in Derek Chauvin‘s trial has reached a verdict.
The judge also stopped Chauvin’s attempt at a new trial hours before he was sentenced for his crimes.
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