Derek Chauvin, the ex-Minneapolis police officer who was convicted in April of murder and manslaughter charges in George Floyd’s death, was sentenced to more than 22 years in prison Friday.
Judge Peter Cahill attached a 22-page memo to Chauvin’s sentence, explaining his order.
National and social media reaction was building throughout the day, in anticipation of the sentence.
The punishment handed out Friday fell short of the 30 years that prosecutors had requested.
President Joe Biden said the sentence “seems to be appropriate.”
With good behavior, Chauvin, 45, could be paroled after serving two-thirds of his sentence, or about 15 years.
Some of Floyd’s family members called Chauvin’s sentence for murder in his death insufficient, while others expressed optimism that it would be an impetus for change.
One of Floyd’s brothers, Rodney, called the sentence a “slap on the wrist.”
“We’ve suffered a life sentence for not having him in our life, and that hurts me to death,” he said.
Chauvin broke his long courtroom silence Friday as he faced sentencing for the murder of Floyd, offering condolences to Floyd’s family and saying he hopes more information coming out will give them “some peace of mind.”
Chauvin, who did not testify at his trial, removed his COVID-19 mask and turned toward the Floyd family, speaking only briefly because of what he called “some additional legal matters at hand” — an apparent reference to the federal civil rights trial he still faces.
Chauvin attorney Eric Nelson called Floyd’s death “tragic,” and that Chauvin”s “brain is littered with what-ifs” from the day: “What if I just did not agree to go in that day? What if things had gone differently? What if I never responded to that call? What if what if what if?”
Floyd’s family members took the stand and expressed sorrow about his death. They asked for the maximum penalty.
Chauvin was immediately led back to prison. As with the verdicts in April, he showed little emotion when the judge pronounced the sentence. His eyes moved rapidly around the courtroom, his COVID-19 mask obscuring much of his face.
The fired white officer was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for pressing his knee against Floyd’s neck for up to 9 ½ minutes as the 46-year-old Black man gasped that he couldn’t breathe and went limp on May 25, 2020.
Bystander video of Floyd’s arrest on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a corner store prompted protests around the world and led to scattered violence in Minneapolis and beyond.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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