Derek Chauvin sentenced to 22 1/2 years in death of George Floyd

Bridgett Floyd, the sister of George Floyd and the founder of the George Floyd Memorial Foundation, praised the judge's decision but said it is not enough. 

"The sentence handed down today to the Minneapolis police officer who killed my brother George Floyd shows that matters of police brutality are finally being taken seriously," she said. "However, we have a long way to go and many changes to make before Black and Brown people finally feel like they are being treated fairly and humanely by law enforcement in this country."

Judge Peter Cahill sentenced Chauvin to 270 months in prison.

“This is based on your abuse of a position of trust and authority and also the particular cruelty shown to George Floyd,” Cahill said.

Cahill said a 22-page memorandum will be attached to the sentencing order.

“What the sentence is not based on is emotion or sympathy, but at the same time I want to acknowledge the deep and tremendous pain that all the families are feeling, especially the Floyd family. You have our sympathies," he said.

When asked by the judge if he wanted to say anything on the record before the sentence was handed down, Chauvin shared a brief message. 

“I want to give my condolences to the Floyd family. There’s going to be some other information in the future that will be of interest and I hope things would give you some peace of mind. Thank you.”

The court then entered a brief 15 minute recess.

Defense attorney Eric Nelson lobbied for the judge to follow sentencing guidelines rather than considering the maximum sentence. 

“We are here after a jury verdict finding him guilty of these offenses and the court's consideration should not only be focused on the aggravating factors but the mitigating factors as well.”

He said, “This case is at the epicenter of a political and cultural divide.”