Status: 25.06.2021 10:30 p.m.
Former US police officer Chauvin has been sentenced to 22.5 years in prison for the killing of George Floyd. This was announced by the court in Minneapolis. The Floyd family lawyer was relieved.
Former US policeman Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 years and six months in prison for killing the black man George Floyd. Judge Peter Cahill in Minneapolis, Minnesota, sentenced the 45-year-old to 270 months in prison.
The Floyd family lawyer, Ben Crump, spoke of a “historic judgment” that will bring loved ones and the entire country “one step closer to healing.”
Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder by juries at the end of April. According to German law, this would be more like manslaughter.
Floyd killed on May 25, 2020
The 46-year-old Floyd was killed in his arrest on May 25th last year in Minneapolis. Videos documented how the police pushed the unarmed man to the ground.
Chauvin pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for a good nine minutes while Floyd pleaded to let him breathe. Floyd passed out and died a little later. The officers arrested him on suspicion of paying with a forged $ 20 bill.
Chauvin offers condolences
Before the sentence was announced, the ex-police officer had sent a message to the relatives for the first time. “I would like to express my condolences to the Floyd family,” said Chauvin in the courtroom.
Floyd’s relatives also turned to the court, including his young daughter via video. Addressing her father, she said: “I miss you and love you.”
“What did you think?”
Floyd’s brother Terrence demanded the maximum sentence for Chauvin in the courtroom – and turned to the ex-cop: “Why? What were you thinking? What went through your head when you had your knee on my brother’s neck?”
Chauvin’s mother, however, protested in court that her son was innocent. “My son is a good man,” said Carolyn Pawlenty, her voice trembling. “I have always believed in your innocence and will never falter.”