Chauvin gets 21 years for violating Floyd's civil rights

A federal judge on Thursday sentenced Derek Chauvin to 21 years in prison for violating George Floyd's civil rights, choosing the low end of a sentencing range called for in the former Minneapolis police officer's plea agreement.

Chauvin pleaded guilty in December to federal charges of depriving Floyd of his civil rights when he kneeled on the black man's back and neck for more than nine minutes as he pleaded "I can't breathe" and became unresponsive. Floyd's killing on May 25, 2020, sparked protests worldwide over police brutality and racism.

With the plea bargain, Chauvin avoided a second federal trial and the possibility of life behind bars if he had been convicted in the US district court.

His plea agreement called for a sentence of 20 to 25 years to be served concurrently with a 22.5-year sentence for his state conviction of murder and manslaughter charges for the death of Floyd.

Prosecutor LeeAnn Bell asked district judge Paul Magnuson to give Chauvin the full 25 years possible in the plea deal. "He wasn't a rookie," Bell said. "He knew what his training was. He admitted before this court that his conduct was wrong, and he did it anyway."

Chauvin's attorney Eric Nelson asked the court to sentence Chauvin to 20 years in prison. Nelson said Chauvin has demonstrated respect for the court, adding that he is not a risk for a repeat offense, nor will he be a police officer anymore.

"I really don't know why you did what you did. To put your knee on a person's neck until they expired is simply wrong. Your conduct is wrong, and it is offensive," Magnuson told Chauvin.

"You absolutely destroyed the lives of three young officers by taking command of the scene."

In the courtroom, Chauvin made no direct apology or expressed remorse to Floyd's family. Instead, he told the family that he wished Floyd's children "all the best in their life".

Philonise Floyd, George's brother, made an impassioned plea for Chauvin to be given the maximum consecutive sentence.

"My brother was murdered in broad daylight with a knee to his neck for nine minutes," he said. "George's life matters. The family and I have been given a life sentence; we will never get George back."

Agencies contributed to this story.