MINNEAPOLIS— The defense attorney for Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin countered arguments that Chauvin should be sentenced to the max. In a brief to the judge, Eric Nelson said that Chauvin under Minnesota law was authorized to use reasonable force against George Floyd and did only such. Nelson dismissed a prosecution’s claim that Floyd was particularly vulnerable. Floyd, said Nelson, was a large man who was struggling with officers. Nelsn wrote that courts have typically found “particular vulnerability” applies only if victims, for example, are young or perhaps sleeping. Further, Nelson said, there has been no evidence that Chauvin applied any more pain than what’s typically associated with second-degree murder, the most serious charge on which he was convicted. Also, Nelson said: “The assault of Mr. Floyd occurred in the course of a very short time, involved no threats or taunting, such as putting a gun to his head and pulling the trigger, and ended when EMS finally responded to officers’ calls.”
Heavier sentencing options not justified by facts.
Sentencing date
Judge Peter Cahill has scheduled sentencing for Derek Chauvin for June 25. The judge did not explain why he changed the docket date from his original June 16.