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

Author: TORI B. POWELL / CBS News
Published: Updated:
In this image from video, defense attorney Eric Nelson, left, and defendant, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin address Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill during motions before the court Thursday, April 15, 2021, in the trial of Chauvin, at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis. Chauvin is charged in the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd. Chauvin told the judge he will not testify on his own behalf. (Court TV via AP, Pool)

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.

The Reverend Al Sharpton, right, with family members of George Floyd on June 25, 2021, in Minneapolis.
JIM MONE / AP

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.”

George Floyd’s brother Terrence speaks at the sentencing hearing for Derek Chauvin on June 25, 2021.
CBS NEWS/POOL

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.

Carolyn Pawlenty, Derek Chauvin’s mother, makes a statement at his sentencing hearing for the murder of George Floyd, June 25, 2021.
CBS NEWS/POOL

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