Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 270 months, or 22.5 years, in the murder of George Floyd last year.
Chauvin, 45, was expected to serve about 15 years behind bars.
Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill said the sentence was not based on “emotion” or “sympathy” but said “we need to recognize the pain of the Floyd family.”
Chauvin, earlier, offered his “condolences” to Floyd’s family but did not apologize for his actions last year that caused Floyd’s death. He said he was unable to speak further due to other ongoing litigation.
Chauvin’s mother also spoke, as well as Floyd’s 7-year-old daughter Gianna, nephew and brothers. Floyd’s family and attorneys called for the court to give Chauvin the maximum sentence.
“This is not the typical second-degree murder,” prosecutor Matthew Frank said, calling for 360 months. “This is egregious.”
Meanwhile, a small crowd was gathered outside the Cup Foods store where Floyd was killed to listen to the hearing. Some in the crowd were chanting and praying.
