USA TODAY International Edition
Chauvin could face longer prison sentence
Judge cites aggravating factors in Floyd’s death
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin could face up to 30 years in prison after a Minnesota judge ruled there were several aggravating factors in the murder of George Floyd.
Chauvin, 45, abused his authority when he restrained Floyd last May by kneeling on his neck for more than nine minutes and not rendering medical aid even when it became clear Floyd was in medical distress, Judge Peter Cahill said in a ruling made public Wednesday.
Cahill found Chauvin treated Floyd with “particular cruelty” because of the “prolonged nature of the asphyxiation” and because Floyd made it clear he was having trouble breathing. Floyd said, “I can’t breathe” at least 27 times in bystander video of his death.
Cahill ruled there were two more aggravating factors: The crime was committed in the presence of children and with the active participation of at least three other people.
Prosecutors argued a fifth aggravating factor, that Floyd was “particularly vulnerable” because he was handcuffed, placed in the prone position and intoxicated. Cahill ruled the state had not proved that beyond a reasonable doubt.
Floyd family attorney Ben Crump released a statement Wednesday applauding Cahill for the ruling.
“The application of justice in this case offers hope that we will see real change in the relationship between police and people of color by holding officers properly accountable for egregious behavior and for failing to honor the sanctity of all lives,” Crump said.
Last month, Chauvin was convicted of second- degree murder, third- degree murder and second- degree manslaughter. Under Minnesota statutes, he’ll be sentenced only on the most serious count – second- degree murder.
Sentencing guidelines recommend a sentence of 121⁄ years for a first- time of
2 fender such as Chauvin. Judges can sentence someone to as little as 10 years and eight months or as much as 15 years.
Because of the aggravating factors, Chauvin could face up to 30 years in prison, though the judge may sentence him to less. He is scheduled to be sentenced in June.
No matter the sentence, in Minnesota, it’s presumed that a defendant on good behavior will serve two- thirds of the penalty in prison and the rest on supervised release, commonly known as parole.
On April 30, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed paperwork asking that Chauvin be given a more severe prison sentence because of the aggravating factors. Prosecutors wrote that Chauvin’s actions “inflicted gratuitous pain” and psychological distress on Floyd and the bystanders who witnessed his death.
Defense attorney Eric Nelson opposed a tougher sentence, saying the state failed to prove the aggravating factors, among others, existed when Chauvin arrested Floyd on May 25, 2020.
Nelson argued that Floyd was not treated with particular cruelty and that there was no evidence the assault involved gratuitous pain that’s not usually associated with second- degree murder.
A federal grand jury indicted Chauvin and the three other former Minneapolis police officers charged in Floyd’s death for violating Floyd’s civil rights, which could add years to the sentences the former officers may face. Those charges, which were unsealed May 7, accuse them of violating a federal law that forbids government officials from abusing their authority.
Chauvin faces another federal indictment stemming from a confrontation with a 14- year- old in 2017.