MINNEAPOLIS – The police officer convicted in the torturous death of George Floyd last May deserves no breaks in sentencing, the prosecution told the judge in a brief. Officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty April 20 on three counts, but state statutes say he can be sentenced only on the most serious count. That would be second-degree murder, for which sentencing guidelines range from 12-1/2 to 40 years. The brief did not recommend a specific sentence but made a point that Chauvin’s crime was especially egregious. The brief argued that Chauvin:
> Knew that Floyd was particularly vulnerable with his hands cuffed behind his back and face-down on the ground.
> Knew that Floyd was intoxicated and thus impaired.
> Held Floyd down, his knee into his neck, even after he had no pulse.
> Was especially cruel during the lengthy restraint, inflicting needless pain and psychological distress on Floyd and also on bystanders, including a minor.
> Abused his authority as a police officer.
Blackwell. Lead prosecutor against Chauvin
Future parole?
Few convicts serve out their sentences in full in Minnesota. With good behavior, most are paroled after two-thirds of their time. It’s called “supervised release.” A sentence of 12-1/2 years becomes eight years and four months. Forty years becomes 26 years and eight months.