Derek Chauvin Sentenced to Just Over 20 Years for Violating George Floyd's Federal Civil Rights

Daniella Silva of NBC News wrote:Derek Chauvin was sentenced to just more than 20 years in prison Thursday, nearly seven months after he pleaded guilty to federal charges that he violated George Floyd's civil rights when he knelt on Floyd's neck for 9½ minutes as he was detaining him in May 2020.

Before handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge Paul 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 Chauvin abused his authority as a police officer and acted callously.

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 he has already served, bringing his sentence to 20 years and five months.

^{Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin addresses the court at his sentencing on state charges at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis on June 25, 2021.}

Chauvin is already serving a 22½-year sentence after he was found guilty of second- and third-degree murder, as well as second-degree manslaughter, in April 2021 in a state case for the death of Floyd. His federal sentence will be served concurrently.

Chauvin initially pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, but he changed his plea in December. At the time, he also admitted guilt in a separate federal indictment in connection with allegations that he deprived a 14-year-old boy of his civil rights in an encounter in September 2017.

The guilty plea allowed Chauvin to avoid another high-profile trial. The sentence reflects 20 years for the charges related to Floyd and five months for the other case.

Chauvin spoke briefly before he was sentenced, telling the Floyd family that he wished them “all the best in their life,” but did not apologize.

Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s brother, 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 of sleep since his brother was “murdered in broad daylight.”

He said his family has been given “a life sentence” as they will never be able to get his brother back.