George Floyd's Killer Sentenced to 22.5 Years
Image: Arturo Olmos
Updated 4:15 p.m. June 25
More than a year after the death of George Floyd, his killer, former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin, was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison Friday afternoon.
"This is based on your abuse of the position of trust and authority and also the particular cruelty shown to George Floyd," said Judge Peter Cahill during the sentencing hearing in Minneapolis Friday.
In April, Chauvin was convicted of three charges, three charges: second- and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, after he knelt on George Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes, killing him, over Memorial Day weekend last year.
Floyd’s death over Memorial Day weekend last year sparked international outrage over police brutality and racism. On June 3, 2020, nearly 60,000 Houstonians marched with Floyd’s family to a rally at City Hall, shouting refrains of “I can’t breathe” and “Say his name.”
Chauvin has the possibility of parole after 15 years. Per a report from the Associated Press, the other three police officers involved will stand trial next March for state charges of aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter.
Published 5:58 p.m. April 20
After almost a year after the death of Houston's George Floyd, a Minnesota jury Tuesday afternoon found Derek Chauvin, the police officer who knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, guilty of murder.
The jury convicted Chauvin on three charges: second- and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. While his sentencing won’t occur for another eight weeks, the presiding judge, Peter Cahill, ordered his bond be rescinded and Chauvin be placed in police custody.
Floyd’s death over Memorial Day weekend last year sparked international outrage over police brutality and racism. On June 3, nearly 60,000 Houstonians marched with Floyd’s family to a rally at City Hall, shouting refrains of “I can’t breathe” and “Say his name.”
Closing statements in Chauvin’s trial, which began on March 29, were made yesterday, and the jury deliberated for 10-and-a-half hours before finding him guilty.
Below, Houstonians react to the news:
Mayor Sylvester Turner
“Justice has been served. The Floyd family has waited for almost a year for this verdict. But I will quickly say that they will experience the loss of their loved one, George, for the rest of their lives. And, quite frankly, his family, friends, the community as a whole. Our prayers go out to the George Floyd family, go out to each and every one of them. ...
“This is not one of those moments where you can say we’ve accomplished our mission. It’s not a time where you can jump up and down. It’s time to be very reflective and to ask what can we do collectively, each and every one of us, to make our cities better, to make our state, our country better, and so it’s a time to be very reflective and then find ways to work together.”
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner
“I want to give thanks to the Floyd family. They have shown America, they have shown the world, how when you’re in pain, you stand up with class and you bring people together. And if the Floyd family can stand up in peace and bring people together, surely to God everybody else can.
“It’s a day of reflection, but it’s also a day of healing and a message to everyone that no one is above the law, especially those of us who take an oath and swore to uphold the law and protect one another. So to our communities throughout the nation, just remember this day. Sometimes justice takes a little while, but it’s going to get there.”
Members of the Floyd family
Members of George Floyd's family in Houston react to the Chauvin verdict. https://t.co/nb27zBpCDq pic.twitter.com/KETjv5bY7x
— Evan McMurry (@evanmcmurry) April 20, 2021
Brené Brown
Repair begins with accountability. We still have so far to go. I am grateful for this verdict and devastated that George Floyd is not here today. We keep fighting. ❤️
— Brené Brown (@BreneBrown) April 20, 2021
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg
#GeorgeFloyd #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #Justice https://t.co/7BHM90P7QS pic.twitter.com/rqaGIvPahq
— Harris County DA (@HarrisCountyDAO) April 20, 2021
Trae Tha Truth
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo
As George Floyd’s hometown, the people of Harris County continue to feel his loss deep in our hearts. His family, his neighbors, his classmates, his community, will never forget his death and what it represents.
— Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) April 20, 2021
Houston Independent School District
— Houston ISD (@HoustonISD) April 20, 2021
Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia
23-year Houston cop/ex-Harris Co sheriff/current commissioner @AdrianGarciaHTX: "Law enforcement must strive toward accountability to build trust with the community, or the unrest we have seen in recent years will continue." #DerekChauvinTrial #DerekChauvinVerdict #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/0xKhamQhGh
— Robert Downen (@RobDownenChron) April 20, 2021
Slim Thug
Megan Thee Stallion
Kristopher Sharp
True justice is abolishing the whole fkn system and not killing people to begin with
— Kristopher Sharp (@sharpkristopher) April 20, 2021
Robert Ford
— Robert Ford (@raford3) April 20, 2021
Houston Food Bank
Our vision at Houston Food Bank is “A world that doesn't need food banks.” Addressing the root causes of hunger and poverty must include ending racism and oppression. In order to achieve a world that doesn’t need food banks, racism must end. pic.twitter.com/KaU3526Dk4
— Houston Food Bank (@HoustonFoodBank) April 20, 2021
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