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June 25, 2021
Derek Chauvin gets 22.5 years for killing George Floyd
I am on the road, so will not have a chance to comment until probably tomorrow. Readers should feel free to share their reactions and thoughts.
UPDATE: Here are links to a few press pieces regarding the Chauvin sentencing:
From Law360, "Chauvin Sentenced To 22.5 Years In Prison For Floyd Murder"
From the Minneapolis Star Tribune, "Derek Chauvin's sentencing sparks relief but also resolve to keep fighting injustice"
From NBC News, "Chauvin sentence wasn't the max, but it provided some closure"
From NPR, "George Floyd's Family Says Chauvin's Sentencing Is One Step Closer To Healing"
ANOTHER UPDATE: I just recently saw this reprinted version of the full sentencing order from Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill when he sentenced Derek Chauvin. Here is the short conclusion to the lengthy discussion:
Part of the mission of the Minneapolis Police Department is to give citizens “voice and respect.” Here, Mr. Chauvin, rather than pursuing the MPD mission, treated Mr. Floyd without respect and denied him the dignity owed to all human beings and which he certainly would have extended to a friend or neighbor. In the Court’s view, 270 months, which amounts to an additional ten years over the presumptive 150-month sentence, is the appropriate sentence.
June 25, 2021 at 04:02 PM | Permalink
Comments
In a live blog of sorts at NYT, Shaila Dewan notes:
"If you are stressing about how many years Derek Chauvin will receive, here is some perspective: The United States has long sentences compared to other countries. Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people in Norway, is serving 21 years — though his sentence can be extended. Even in England, whose criminal justice system ours is modeled on, 20 years is a severe sentence. Very few serve life in prison without the possibility of release."
Yes. My question would be when would he be qualified for parole.
Posted by: Joe | Jun 25, 2021 4:04:26 PM
He will be eligible for Supervised Release after serving 2/3 of the sentence.
Posted by: SUSPO (Retired) | Jun 25, 2021 9:11:09 PM
Another ridiculously long sentence at the end of a completely fake show trial. If there were still any justice in the US, this travesty of justice will be overturned.
Nevertheless,over 20 years is cruel for no reason. He should have instead gotten 6 months probation and time served. That would have been just.
Posted by: restless94110 | Jun 26, 2021 6:55:48 PM
Of course, he will likely get his sentences overturned through appeal anyway, so it won't matter.
Posted by: Eric Knight | Jun 27, 2021 11:30:32 AM
Given the finding of aggravating circumstances by the judge, the sentence was not ridiculously long under Minnesota's guidelines. And in most state systems, twenty-two years for a homicide is not unusually long. I am not familiar with Minnesota appellate review of sentences, but -- on its face -- the judge's sentencing order does not seem likely to be set aside on appeal. Nor did I see any glaring trial court error that would get the finding of guilt reversed.
Posted by: tmm | Jun 28, 2021 11:24:35 AM
