Judge Peter Cahill of Hennepin County District Court handed down the sentence, which fell short of prosecutors’ request of 30 years in prison.
Cahill said his sentence surpassed the state’s sentencing guidelines of 12 1/2 years because Chauvin abused a ‘position of trust and authority’ and displayed a ‘particular cruelty’ toward Floyd.
Floyd family´s attorney Ben Crump tweeted that this has been a historic step towards racial reconciliation by convicting Chauvin.
At the hearing, Derek Chauvin offered his condolences to Floyd’s family, but he did not apologize for his actions and said he was unable to further speak due to ongoing litigation.
Judge Peter Cahill, on the other hand, when handing down the sentence, asserted the ruling is not based on emotion or sympathy nor on public opinion, but on the law and the specific facts of the case.
Prosecutors requested 30 years behind bars, Chauvin´s attorney requested parole and even hours before today’s hearing requested for a new trial, which was denied.
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