Former Minneapolis Police Officer Found Guilty Of Second Degree Murder Third Degree Murder And Manslaughter

Derek Chauvin Sentenced to 22.5 Years in Prison for Murder of George Floyd

Former Minneapolis Police Officer Found Guilty of Second-Degree Murder, Third-Degree Murder, and Manslaughter

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison on Friday for the murder of George Floyd. Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter in April after a highly publicized trial that sparked nationwide protests against police brutality.

The Trial and Verdict

The trial began on March 8, 2021, and lasted for three weeks. The prosecution presented evidence that Chauvin had knelt on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes, causing his death. The defense argued that Floyd's death was not caused by Chauvin's actions, but by a combination of drug use and heart disease.

The jury deliberated for about 10 hours before reaching a verdict. Chauvin was found guilty on all three charges, and the judge sentenced him to 22.5 years in prison, which was the maximum sentence allowed under Minnesota law.

The Sentence

In a statement, Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill said that Chauvin's actions were "particularly cruel" and that he had failed to live up to his oath as a police officer. The judge also said that the sentence was intended to send a message that police officers who use excessive force will be held accountable.

Chauvin's sentence is the longest ever imposed on a police officer for the death of a Black person. The case has sparked a national debate about police reform and the use of excessive force.