MINNEAPOLIS – Were Derek Chauvin sentenced to back-to-back terms on the three homicide counts for which he was convicted, he would serve as much75 years in prison. The consensus among criminal law experts, however, is that Judge Peter Cahill Chauvin’s sentence will be considerably less. The sentencing hearing is expected in mid-May. Because the three homicide charges were all for the same slaying, experts expect Cahill will make the sentences concurrent – not consecutive. That at most, according to sentencing guidelines, would suggest 12-1/2 years total:
> Second-degree murder: 12-1/2 to 40 years.
> Third-degree murder: 12-1/2 to 25 years.
> Second-degree manslaughter: four to 10 years.
Chauvin’s prosecutors can be expected to push for maxes, plus what are called aggravating factors:
> George Floyd being a particularly vulnerable victim.
> The particular cruelty of the crime.
> The presence of children, one only 9, at the scene.
> Chauvin’s earlier physical excesses as a police officer, albeit they went unpunished,
Aggravating factors could push Chauvin’s sentence to lengthier part of the legal range.
Earlier: Derek Chauvin: Life in his cell