Derek Chauvin Gets 22-Year Jail Term In George Floyd Murder Case

Former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison for the murder of George Floyd.

45-year-old Chauvin was convicted back in April of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter for keeping his knee on the back of Floyd's neck for over nine minutes despite pleas from the latter that he couldn't breathe.

On Friday, June 25, the court heard the testimonies of Floyd's family and Chauvin's mother, after which Judge Peter Cahill said the sentence was not based on emotion, sympathy, or public opinion.

Cahill said: "I’m not going to attempt to be profound or clever because it’s not the appropriate time. I’m not basing my sentence on public opinion. I’m not basing it on the attempt to send any messages.

"The job of a trial court judge is to apply the law to specific facts and to deal with individual cases.”

A 30-year sentence had been requested by the prosecuting team and the 22 and a half years sentence is 10 years above the state's guidelines; something Judge Cahill justified, citing "aggravating factors."

Cahill agreed that Chauvin abused his position by treating Floyd with particular cruelty by kneeling on his neck.