“Today he had a chance to blow kisses and give air hugs to his family. “Had he been held accountable for what he did in 2017 to that minor, George Floyd would still be here,” Williams said. George Floyd’s nephew, Brandon Williams, afterward called Chauvin a “monster” who should have been arrested in 2017. He waved and smiled at them as he entered and left the courtroom. Nine people came to support Chauvin, including family members. As they left the courtroom, Floyd’s brother Philonise said to the teen: “It’s a good day for justice.” Several members of Floyd’s family were present Wednesday, as was the teenager in the 2017 arrest. That was one of several cases mentioned in state court filings that prosecutors said showed Chauvin used neck or head and upper body restraints seven times dating back to 2014, including four times state prosecutors said they went beyond the point force was needed. Kueng and Tou Thao - were indicted on federal charges alongside Chauvin.įloyd’s arrest and death, which a bystander captured on cellphone video, sparked mass protests nationwide calling for an end to racial inequality and police mistreatment of Black people.Ĭhauvin also pleaded guilty to violating the rights of a 14-year-old boy during a 2017 arrest in which he held the boy by the throat, hit him in the head with a flashlight and held his knee on the boy’s neck and upper back while he was prone, handcuffed and not resisting. Three other former officers - Thomas Lane, J. That means if Chauvin gets the 25 years prosecutors want, he would likely spend 21 years and three months in prison - or a little more than six years beyond his state sentence. A federal sentence would run at the same time, and good behavior also can reduce time - but inmates still typically serve about 85% of their sentences. Through a combination of good behavior and parole, Chauvin’s state sentence is likely to amount to 15 years behind bars. District Judge Paul Magnuson, but Chauvin is likely to face more time behind bars than he would on the state charges alone. Under the plea agreement, both sides agreed Chauvin should face a sentence ranging from 20 to 25 years, with prosecutors saying they would seek 25. He said “Guilty, your honor” to confirm his pleas, and acknowledged that he committed the acts alleged.Ĭhauvin could have faced life in prison on the federal count, one possible incentive for him to avoid trial. A second federal count in Floyd’s death was dismissed, but Chauvin pleaded guilty to another count in an unrelated 2017 case.Ĭhauvin appeared in person for the change of plea hearing in an orange short-sleeve prison shirt and was led into and out of the court in handcuffs. In his federal plea Wednesday, Chauvin admitted he willfully deprived Floyd of his right to be free from unreasonable seizure, including unreasonable force by a police officer, by kneeling on Floyd’s neck even though he was handcuffed and not resisting. (AP) - Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal charge of violating George Floyd’s civil rights, admitting for the first time that he kept his knee on Floyd’s neck - even after he became unresponsive - resulting in the Black man’s death.Ĭhauvin, who is white, was convicted this spring of state murder and manslaughter charges in Floyd’s May 25, 2020, death, and was sentenced to 22 1/2 years.
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