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

He was convicted in the May 2020 death of Floyd.

Last Updated: June 25, 2021, 5:28 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.

Jun 25, 2021, 5:28 PM EDT

Attorney Ben Crump and Floyd’s family react 

Philonise Floyd listed the names of other Black people who lost their lives at the hands of police violence during a post-sentencing press conference.

“The legend will still live on. George isn’t here but his spirit is still here. Breonna Taylor is not here, but her spirit is still here. Eric Garner isn’t here but his spirit is still here,” he said. 

George Floyd’s other brother, Terrence Floyd, shared a message of hope. 

“We’re Floyd strong and we’re going to stay strong,” he said. 

Lawyer Ben Crump, sorrounded by members of George Floyd's family, gestures as he 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

George Floyd’s nephew Brandon Williams said during the press conference, “Twenty-two years and a half is not enough. We deserve a life sentence,” he said. 

“What kind of message are you sending to our country? ... That you can kill a man in cold blood and get a slap on the wrist? So I won’t celebrate this. I won’t celebrate it at all. But I will celebrate a guilty conviction of a police officer that killed a Black man because far too many times we see them kill us and get right away with it.”

Rodney Floyd, George Floyd’s younger brother, also criticized the sentence. 

“This right here, this 22-year sentence they gave this man, is a slap on the wrist. We’re serving a life sentence not having him in our lives. And that hurts me to death,” he said. 

Crump rallied the crowd, saying there was still a chance for Chauvin to face more prison time.

“The federal charges are still pending so I do believe ... the maximum, it is still attainable to get maximum accountability for George Floyd,” he said, launching a chant of “maximum accountability for George Floyd!”

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

Related Topics