Former police officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 21 years in federal court for violating George Floyd’s civil rights.
A Minnesota court in June last year found Chauvin guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced him to 22 years and six months in prison. He is serving time in prison in the state of Minnesota.
He has now been sentenced to 21 years in prison in federal court, according to the news agency AP and Reuters. He is expected to be transferred to a federal prison.
The verdict relates to violations of civil rights. Chauvin pleaded guilty in federal court in December.
The new ruling is based on settlement meaning Chauvin can serve two verdicts at once, NTB wrote.
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was arrested and buried by police officer Chauvin in Minneapolis. He pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes, while Floyd, who was handcuffed, repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe. He died from the injuries he sustained, and the court system had determined it was murder.
Judge Paul Magnuson sharply criticized Chauvin for his actions.
– I really don’t know why you did what you did. Putting his knee on someone’s neck until he comes out is wrong. “Your behavior is insane, and it’s offensive,” said Magnuson.
The murder was filmed from several angles, and the footage sparked a worldwide violent reaction and breathed new life into the Black Lives Matter movement.
Three other police officers have also been convicted for their role in the murder, but Magnuson only blamed Chauvin.
“You literally ruined the lives of three young officers by leading the scene,” Magnuson said. Chauvin is by far the most experienced police officer on the scene.
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