MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd, whose dying gasps under Chauvin’s knee led to the biggest outcry against racial injustice in the U.S. in generations.
The punishment handed out Friday fell short of the 30 years that prosecutors had requested.
With good behavior, Chauvin, 45, could be paroled after serving two-thirds of his sentence, or about 15 years.
Prior to the sentencing, Chauvin spoke directly to Floyd’s family.
Chauvin has offered condolences to George Floyd’s family in a brief statement in court before hearing his sentence for second-degree murder.
It was the first time that Chauvin has spoken directly to Floyd’s family.
Chauvin approached the bench with his attorney and explained to Judge Peter Cahill that “due to some additional legal matters at hand, I’m not able to give a full formal statement at this time.”
Chauvin still faces federal civil rights charges in Floyd’s death.
(Copyright 2021, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
(WBAP/KLIF News contributed to this report.)
