Derek Chauvin Sentenced To 22.5 Years For George Floyd Murder

[Update June 25, 2021 at 4:10 p.m.]: Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison for second-degree murder. His sentencing came after victim impact statements from members of George Floyd's family, including his brother, Terrence, who asked for the maximum sentence, CNN reports.

Chauvin also spoke before his sentencing, expressing his "condolences" to the family, and indicating there was information that had not been revealed previously.

"I want to give my condolences to the Floyd family," Chauvin said. "There's going to be some other information in the future that would be of interest and I hope things will give you some peace of mind."

[Original Story]

After having his request for a new trial denied, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin could face a decades-long sentence following his upheld convictions.

Chauvin attempted to appeal his case and request a new trial hours before his sentencing, but was rejected by Judge Peter Cahill, the Associated Press reports. Now, following his convictions of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, a judge will decide how long he will spend in prison.

Chauvin could be in prison for decades, with legal experts telling AP that they predicted he could be sentenced anywhere from 20-25 years. He will be sentenced on the most serious charge, which has a maximum sentence of 40 years, though prosecutors are asking for 30 years, which is a practical maximum sentence that wouldn’t face the risk of being overturned on an appeal.

His defense attorney, Eric Nelson, has requested that Chauvin only receive probation.

Prior to last summer, when Chauvin was caught on video kneeling on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes, despite his pleading and crying “I can’t breathe,” over the black man’s passing of an alleged counterfeit $20 bill, he had also racked up several other complaints during his time on the police force. In a 19-year career, he had racked up a total of 18 complaints, according to Business Insider.

Chauvin also still faces federal civil rights charges along with the three other Minneapolis police officers involved in the incident.