The plea deal,which Chauvin signed,recommended a federal sentence of 20 to 25 years. Last month,prosecutors pressed US District Judge Paul Magnuson,who is overseeing the case,to sentence Chauvin to the full 25 years,arguing the former officer’s actions were “coldblooded” and that he had abused his power as a police officer by failing to recognise the “humanity” of the person beneath his knees.
In a separate motion,Eric Nelson,Chauvin’s lawyer,had requested no more than a 20-year sentence,pointing to his client’s “acceptance of his wrongdoing” and that he is already serving a state sentence of 22½ years for Floyd’s murder. He spoke of Chauvin’s “remorse for the harm that has flowed from his actions” and told the court the former officer would demonstrate that at his sentencing.
But in a brief statement during Friday’s hearing (AEST),Chauvin did not offer any formal apologies or remorse for his actions. Addressing members of Floyd’s family,the former officer,who was dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit for the proceedings,said he wasn’t sure how many children Floyd had. “I just want to say I wish them all the best in their life,” Chauvin said,adding that he hoped they have “guidance in becoming great adults”.
“To put your knee on someone else’s neck until they expire is simply wrong and you must be punished.”
US District Judge Paul Magnuson
Chauvin also acknowledged the “unpleasant” decision facing Magnuson as he considered a sentence in a “politically charged environment”.
As part of the plea deal,prosecutors agreed to allow the former officer to serve his federal sentence concurrently with this state murder sentence. The deal also allowed Chauvin,who has been held in solitary confinement at a state prison since his April 2021 conviction,to be transferred to a federal prison where Chauvin is likely to be safer – though in asking for a lesser sentence,Nelson argued that his client is likely to be a target no matter where he goes because of the notoriety surrounding the case.
But Chauvin’s sentence and the conditions of his confinement were ultimately determined by Magnuson,who strongly condemned Chauvin’s actions.