The 22 years and six months sentence meted out to fired cop, Derek Chauvin, for killing George Floyd has been described as “a down payment on Justice” for black people in America.
On Friday, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill slapped Chauvin with 270 months in a correctional facility, the longest sentence for a cop convicted of killing a black person in Minneapolis.
Citing Chauvin’s abuse of his position of trust and authority as well as “particular cruelty shown to Floyd”, Judge Cahill almost doubled the 12-and-a half-year sentence prescribed under state guidelines.
The fired police officer was convicted in April, amid massive protests – of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Chauvin was arrested after a video went viral that showed the police officer in full uniform kneeling on 46-year-old George Floyd’s neck for nine minutes.
The murder sparked world wide protests against racism and police brutality.
During the sentencing broadcast on several outlets, Cauvin’s mom addressed the court.
“The public will never know the loving and caring man he is,” said Carolyn Pawlenty in her plea for leniency for her son.
“When you sentence Derek, you will also be sentencing me,” she said, adding that when her 45-year-son is released “his father and I” would most likely have passed.
“This verdict and the sentencing is the longest sentence we’ve seen, but it is not justice,” Rev. Al Sharpton told reporters. He said it was a “down payment” on Justice.
“We got justice, but not enough justice,” a member of Floyd’s family said.
Last year Minneapolis agreed a $27m settlement for a police custody death lawsuit brought by Floyd’s family
