The US white ex-police officer who has been convicted of murdering George Floyd in Minneapolis has been served with the verdict. Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 years and six months in jail. The judge said that the sentence has been given “on your abuse of a position of trust and authority and also the particular cruelty shown” to Mr. Floyd.
Mr. Floyd died as Chauvin knelt on his neck for nine long minutes. His cruel murder of George Floyd has caused a global protest against racism and brutality. Chauvin, a 45 years old ex-policeman, has been convicted of second-degree murder with other charges. During the trial period, his lawyer has described this as “an error made in good faith.”
Chauvin told to register himself as a predatory offender. The authorities have barred him from owning firearms for life. Along with him, the three other former offices are also carrying charges for violating the civil rights of George Floyd.
The family of Floyd and his supporters have welcomed this sentence. As lawyer Ben Crump thinks, this historic sentence will bring the Floyd family one step closer to healing.
Sister of Floyd, Bridgett Floyd, thinks this sentence shows that the matter of police brutality has finally been taken seriously. Also, there is a long way to go. President Joe Biden thinks the sentence “seemed to be appropriate”. However, Biden admitted that he did not know all the details about it.
During the hearing of the sentence, Floyd’s brother Terrence Floyd made his demand for a maximum of 40 years of punishment. “Why? What were you thinking? What was going through your head when you had your knee on my brother’s neck? – Terrence said.
Floyd’s daughter Gianna said she misses him and she loves him, which is heart-wrenching. “I ask about him all the time,” she said. “My daddy always used to help me brush my teeth.”
The judge says this case has been quite painful for both the community and the country, and the family.
Chauvin told the court that he had offered his condolences to the family. However, he did not apologize. Chauvin’s mother told the court that he is a good man. She is not ready to deny that her son is innocent. Chauvin has received one of the longest sentences as a police officer.
Credits: BBC
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