Chauvin Gets 22 1/2 Years in Prison for George Floyd’s Death
The punishment handed out Friday fell short of the 30 years that prosecutors had requested.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd, whose dying gasps under Chauvin’s knee led to the biggest outcry against racial injustice in the U.S. in generations.
The punishment handed out Friday fell short of the 30 years that prosecutors had requested. With good behavior, Chauvin, 45, could be paroled after serving two-thirds of his sentence, or about 15 years.
During the sentencing, George Floyd’s 7-year-old daughter says she wishes she could tell her late father that “I miss you and I love you.” Gianna Floyd’s video interview was played in court Thursday. Gianna Floyd said in the victim impact statement that she believed her dad was still with her in spirit. She said, “I want to play with him, have fun, go on a plane ride.” Hers was one of four victim impact statements delivered at the sentencing.
Chauvin offered condolences to George Floyd’s family in a brief statement before hearing his sentence. It was the first time that Chauvin has spoken directly to Floyd’s family. Chauvin approached the bench with his attorney and explained to Judge Peter Cahill that “due to some additional legal matters at hand, I’m not able to give a full formal statement at this time.” Chauvin still faces federal civil rights charges in Floyd’s death. He briefly told Cahill that “I do want to give my condolences to the Floyd family” and said “there’s going to be some other information in the future that would be of interest.”
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