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

He was convicted in the May 2020 death of Floyd.

ByMarlene Lenthang
Last Updated: June 25, 2021, 10:19 PM EDT

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis Police officer convicted in the death of George Floyd, was handed his sentence Friday.

Chauvin was handed a 270-month sentence, minus time served, by Judge Peter Cahill.

In April, Chauvin, 45, was found guilty on three counts: Second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for pressing his knee against Floyd's neck for more than 9 minutes. He is widely expected to appeal.

Former police officer Derek Chauvin listens during his sentencing hearing at Hennepin County Government Center, June 25, 2021, in Minneapolis. Chauvin was convicted for murdering George Floyd.
Court TV

Chauvin was sentenced on the most serious charge, second-degree unintentional murder, which under Minnesota law has a maximum sentence of 40 years.

Top headlines:

Jun 25, 2021, 5:00 PM EDT

Rev. Al Sharpton says 'we’re not here to celebrate'

“Let us not feel that we’re here to celebrate because justice would have been George Floyd would have never been killed, justice would have been the maximum … 22 and a half years is longer than we ever got but shorter than what we should have gotten in the past,” Sharpton said at a press conference after the sentencing. 

He was joined by civil rights attorney Ben Crump and members of Floyd’s family. Together, they shared a prayer in front of the Hennepin County courthouse. 

Reverend Al Sharpton, surrounded by relatives of George Floyd, talks to the media after the sentence on former police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted for murdering George Floyd, in Minneapolis, June 25, 2021.
Nicholas Pfosi/Reuters

Jun 25, 2021, 4:50 PM EDT

President Joe Biden calls Chauvin's sentence 'appropriate'

Biden, who was informed of the judge's decision before he sat down to meet with the Afghan president, said, “I don't know all the circumstances that were considered, but it seems to me under the guidelines, that seems to be appropriate.”

-ABC News’ Sarah Kolinovsky contributed to this report

Jun 25, 2021, 4:44 PM EDT

Chants of 'Say his name!'

As news of the sentencing broke, chants of “Say his name!” erupted in George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, the site where Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck. 

Earlier in the day the crowd had shouted “30 years! 30 years!”

PHOTO: People react to the sentencing of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, June 25, 2021, at George Floyd Square where Floyd was killed, in Minneapolis.
Jennifer Starr Dodd, center, holds up three fingers to symbolize the three other police officers still to be tried, as supporters react to the sentencing of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, June 25, 2021, at George Floyd Square where Floyd was killed, in Minneapolis.
Julio Cortez/AP
Jun 25, 2021, 4:25 PM EDT

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison reacts to sentencing

“Today's sentencing is not justice, but it is another moment of real accountability on the road to justice,” Ellison said in a statement following the sentencing. “The outcome of this case is critically important, but by itself it’s not enough.”

He demanded that Congress pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, saying, “Lives are depending upon it.”

Ellison also issued a warning to law enforcement leaders. “By bringing accountability in law enforcement, you actually promote public safety,” he said.

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