He will be moved to a federal prison
A federal judge has sentenced former cop Derek Chauvin to 21 years in prison for violating George Floyd’s civil rights back in 2020.
The former officer is already serving a 22-and-a-half-year sentence on state charges of murder and manslaughter, but the latest ruling means the 46-year-old will be moved to federal prison.
On May 25 2020, Chauvin killed Floyd in cold blood after nine minutes of the man begging that he couldn’t breathe. Floyd’s death sparked protests globally.
Chauvin had agreed to a plea deal that called for a sentence between 20 and 25 years. Federal prosecutors sought the upper-end of the range, as did Floyd’s brother Philonise who said: “My family and I have been given a life sentence.
“We will never get George’s life back.”
Judge Magnuson has also ordered Chauvin to pay restitution, though the amount is yet to be determined.
“I really don’t know why you did what you did … To put your knee on another person’s neck until they expire is wrong, and thus you need to be substantially punished,” Magnuson said.
Chauvin’s team had requested 20 years, with their argument being that Chavun was remorseful. His address to the court did not include a direct apology; instead, he wished Floyd’s kids “all the best.”
BREAKING: Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 20 years and 5 months on federal charges for violating #GeorgeFloyd's civil rights.
He took a plea deal to avoid a possible life sentence at trial. The sentence will be concurrent with his 22.5 year state murder sentence. pic.twitter.com/WQuirJLILo
— AJ+ (@ajplus) July 7, 2022
Magnuson has yet to set sentencing dates for the three other officers on the scene of Floyd’s death. Tou Thao, J Alexander Keung and Thomas Lane were all convicted of federal civil rights charges in February, having previously appeared at state court.
Lane is due to be sentenced on September 21, with Thao and Kueng both turning down plea deals for a state court trial on October 24 for aiding and abetting.
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