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

Washington, Jun 26 (UNI) A US court on Friday sentenced former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin to 22 years and six months in prison for the murder of George Floyd during his arrest last year.
In April, Chauvin, 45, was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death. The 46-year-old Floyd died last May after Chauvin knelt on his neck for about nine minutes after he was arrested on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. The incident, which was shot by a bystander that went viral, sparked widespread protests – and riots – over police-involved killings of blacks in the US.
Prosecutors had sought a 30-year sentence while the defense argued for probation. The maximum punishment for second-degree murder in Minnesota is 40 years. In this case, there was no criminal record against him. For the person with no criminal record, the state guidelines recommend 12 1/2 to 15 years.
“This (sentence) is based on your abuse of a position of trust and 

authority and also the particular cruelty shown to George Floyd,” Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill said moments before announcing the punishment.
Judge Cahill said he did not base his sentence on public opinion and it should not be seen as trying to convey some message. “The job of a trial court judge is to apply the law to specific facts and to deal with particular cases,” Cahill added.
The judge said he acknowledged the pain of victim’s family and also acknowledged the unrest that swept the US due to Floyd’s death.
Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s brother, during the sentencing hearing, urged the court to give the erstwhile police officer the maximum sentencing.
“I’m asking that you please find it suitable to give officer Chauvin the maximum sentence possible for the charge[s] that he has been found guilty for,” Philonise Floyd said.
“Our family has been given a life sentence. We will never get George back,” he added.
Chauvin’s mother, Carolyn Pawlenty, had urged the court for leniency, saying her son was a good man. She said: “Derek, I want you to know I have always believed in your innocence, and I will never waver from that.”
“I will be at home to welcome you when you come home,” she said.
The court had denied the request from the defence side for a fresh trial.
Floyd died as the former police officer had pressed his knee into his neck for nine minutes. Floyd repeatedly cried that he couldn’t breathe as bystanders also shouted for the police officer to stop.