Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to an additional 21 years prison sentence for violating late George Floyd’s civil rights.
Nearly seven months after pleading guilty, US District Judge Paul Magnuson ruled that Chauvin was responsible for Floyd’s death, which resulted from him kneeling on the latter’s neck for 9 and a half minutes while detaining him in May 2020.
Before handing down the sentence, Judge Magnuson called Chauvin’s treatment of Floyd “offensive” and “unconscionable.”
“I really don’t know why you did what you did. But to put your knee on another person’s neck until they expire… is simply wrong and for that conduct you must be substantially punished,” the judge said.
Federal prosecutors had asked Magnuson to sentence Chauvin to 25 years, on the high end of the 20-to-25-year range of the plea agreement, saying that Chauvin abused his authority as a police officer, acted callously, and with unjustified excessive force.
The defense had asked for 20 years, saying Chauvin “was remorseful for what he did and that he has accepted responsibility.”
Magnuson sentenced Chauvin to 21 years in prison, with credit for the time served, brining his sentence down to 20 years and five months.
Chauvin is already serving a 22 and a half year long sentence after he was found guilty of second and third degree murder, in addition to second degree manslaughter in April 2021, in a state case for Floyd’s death. His federal sentence will be served concurrently.
Chauvin initially pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, but he changed his plea in December 2021.
At the time, he also admitted guilt in a separate federal indictment in connection with allegation that he deprived a 14-year-old boy of his civil rights during an encounter back in September 2017.
The guilty plea allowed him to avoid high-profile trial. The sentence represents 20 years for the charges related to Floyd and five months for the other case.
Chauvin spoke briefly before he was sentenced, telling Floyd’s family that he wished them “all the best in their life,” but did not apologize.
George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, was among several people to speak in court before the sentencing.
He called for Chauvin to receive the maximum sentence, saying he has not had a real night sleep since his brother was “murdered in broad daylight.”
He added that his family has been given “a life sentence” as they will never be able to get Geaorge back.
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