Black Lives Matter: In The Midst Of Sentencing Derek Chauvin To 22 Years Imprisonment For Murder, George Floyd Statue Was Also Defaced

Black Lives Matter: In The Midst Of Sentencing Derek Chauvin To 22 Years Imprisonment For Murder, George Floyd Statue Was Also Defaced

Judge Peter Cahill said the decision was based on the law and not “emotion, sympathy or public opinion”

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer found guilty of murdering George Floyd, was on Friday sentenced to 22 years in prison, Telegraph reports.

Chauvin, 45, was convicted in April on charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for his role in Floyd’s death.

Prosecutors for the state of Minnesota have requested a 30-year prison sentence, saying it “would properly account for the profound impact of Defendant’s conduct on the victim, the victim’s family, and the community,” according to a sentencing memo.

However, Chauvin has no prior criminal record, so Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines recommend about 12 and a half years in prison for each murder charge and about four years for the manslaughter charge.

Under the officer’s knees, the 46-year-old Black man gasped for air, repeatedly exclaimed “I can’t breathe” and ultimately went silent as a group of horrified bystanders looked on.

Meanwhile A statue of George Floyd erected in Brooklyn has been defaced just less than a week after its unveiling.

This act was carried out day before the former Minneapolis police officer convicted in Floyd’s death, Derek Chauvin, is set to face sentencing.

The 700-pounds bronze statue of George Floyd was unveiled in Brooklyn, a predominantly African American city in Newark on June 19, in commemoration of the Juneteenth celebration.

The statue, which depicts Floyd sitting on a bench, was commissioned by actor and filmmaker Leon Pinkeye and sculpted by artist Stanley Watts as a donation to the city.

The statue was, however, defaced on Thursday with white and black spray paint.

The website and logo of the white suprematist group, Patriot Front, was also found on the statue, according to DailyMail.

Four suspects connected to the vandalism were caught on camera and the police is working to identify them.

The surveillance footage showed four unidentified individuals who approached the statue at around 3.40am, before they walked away a short time later.

According to the police, the vandalism is being treated as a hate crime.

Regarding Chauvin case, in ruling, Judge Peter Cahill said the decision was based on the law and not “emotion, sympathy or public opinion” but he went on to acknowledge the deep pain all families involved are feeling “especially the Floyd family.”

Chauvin’s mother had earlier told the judge that her son is a “quiet, thoughtful, honourable and selfless man” who should not receive a lengthy sentence.

Carolyn Pawlenty made the statement in court before her son, Derek Chauvin, heard his sentence on a second-degree murder charge. She did not mention Floyd by name.

“Derek has played over and over in his head the events of that day,” Ms Pawlenty said.

“I’ve seen the toll it has taken on him. I believe a lengthy sentence will not serve Derek well.”

She told Judge Peter Cahill: “My son’s identity has also been reduced to that as a racist,” she said.