Derek Chauvin’s Mother Fears She Will Be Dead Before He Gets Out of Prison
Derek Chauvin’s Mother Fears She Will Be Dead Before He Gets Out of Prison
Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who was found guilty of murdering George Floyd in April, has just been sentenced to twenty-two and a half years in prison.
Breaking News: Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison for the murder of George Floyd, in a case that set off the largest civil rights movement in the U.S. in decades. https://t.co/MDvdU9yzyR pic.twitter.com/vB0y7D9fQn
— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 25, 2021
His most serious conviction is second-degree murder, which carries a maximum prison sentence of forty years in Minnesota. The other charges include third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, which carry maximum penalties of twenty-five years and 10 years in prison.
He's remained in police custody until now, after finally being sentenced.
Back in April, the jury came to a unanimous decision.
Yesterday's sentencing came as a result of events that occurred on May 25th, 2020 when Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for more than 9 minutes while detaining him face-first against the pavement. This violence was caused by Floyd using a counterfeit $20 bill.
Floyd had pleaded for air and told officers that he couldn't breathe twenty-seven times as 3 officers held him down until he lost consciousness and didn't have a pulse. They eventually removed themselves minutes later once paramedics arrived and lifted Floyd's lifeless body onto a stretcher.
Now, many are drawing attention to Chauvin's mother, Carolyn Pawlenty.
George Floyd was MURDERED.
— Chrissi Nielsen (@NielsenChrissi) June 25, 2021
Derek Chauvin is A MURDERER.
If this was your family member murdered like George was you want the maximum sentence.
The Floyd family deserves justice.
22.5 years isn't enough for what they went through#DerekChauvinSentencing pic.twitter.com/Rbjogpv2ve
Chauvin's mother made a lengthy speech in the courtroom in front of her son, during which she claimed giving birth to him was the happiest moment of her entire life, and that the second happiest moment was when she first pinned his police badge to his shirt.
During the speech, Pawlenty also claimed that a sentence for Chauvin, is a sentence for her too. She too claimed that Chauvin is her 'favourite'.
She said:
Derek devoted 19 years of his life to Minneapolis Police Department. It has been difficult for me to hear ... the media, public and prosecution team believe Derek to be an aggressive, heartless and uncaring person," she said, adding: "I can tell you that is far from the truth. My son's identity has also been reduced to that ... as a racist. I want this court to know that none of these things are true and that my son is a good man.
Derek always dedicated his life and time to the police department. Even on his days off he would call in to see if they needed help.
"When you sentence my son you will also be sentencing me," she said.
I will not be able to see Derek, talk to him on the phone or give him a special hug. Plus, the fact that when he is released, his father and I most likely will not be here.
One final thought. I want you to remember, remember you are my favourite son.
One other statement came from Floyd's seven year old daughter, who said that she knew 'mean people had done something' to her father.
Rest in Peace, George Floyd. We hope this can bring some kind of justice to Floyd's family and those who have been affected by police brutality.
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