Derek Chauvin Sentenced to 22.5 Years In Prison For Murder of George Floyd

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted earlier this year of second-degree unintentional murder in the death of George Floyd, was sentenced Friday to 22.5 years in prison. Before the sentence hearing, Floyd's family read impact statements and asked the judge for the maximum sentence for Chauvin; Chauvin also spoke briefly, offered condolences to Floyd's family. Prosecutors asked for a 30-year sentence, arguing that Chauvin's actions "traumatized Mr. Floyd’s family...and his conduct shocked the nation’s conscience.” Chauvin's lawyer asked the court for probation and time served, arguing that placing Chauvin with other inmates may make him a target. Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Cahill delivered the sentence, and said that while the sentence "is not based on emotion or sympathy," he also acknowledged "the deep and tremendous pain that all the families are feeling, especially the Floyd family.” Chauvin will also face federal civil rights charges; the three other officers involved the Floyd's death await a separate manslaughter trial.

Chauvin's sentence was widely covered throughout the spectrum. Many outlets focused on the details and history of Chauvin's trial; some outlets recounted how Floyd's death launched a nationwide movement against police brutality and racism. Some outlets on the left highlighted other cases of police shootings; one voice stated that Chauvin's sentencing was a "rare rebuke by the criminal justice system against a police officer who killed someone while on duty."