Editorial
Derek Chauvin, the former cop who killed George Floyd, may ‘receive a 30-year sentence’ from prosecutors following his guilty murder conviction.
According to The Wall Street Journal, his defence lawyers are seeking probation and want the time he’s already served to be taken into account when it comes to his official sentencing on June 25.
However, prosecutors of the case have filed court documents, citing the judge’s ruling from last month, and have argued that there are numerous aggravating factors that need to be considered.
Derek Chauvin’s Prosecutor Feels ‘Bad’ For Him ‘Because He’s A Human Being’
Judge Peter Cahill has stated that it’s been proven by prosecutors that Chauvin treated Floyd with unnecessary cruelty, broke his position of trust and authority, acted in concert with at least three other people, and committed the crime in the presence of children.
But defence attorney Eric Nelson has called out some of the points made, arguing that the 45-year-old is unlikely to re-offend, has served the community as an officer for 19 years, and had ties that would support him if he was to be released early.
At this point, it’s not been specified how much the defence team wants his sentence reduced to.
Last month, Chauvin’s lawyer also filed a motion demanding for there to be a new trial.
Nelson believes that the case has suffered from a number of errors, including that the former officer’s constitutional rights were violated.
He also argued that mistakes had been made by Judge Cahill, including prosecutorial misconduct, juror misconduct, witness intimidation, and the impact of publicity.
The attorney stated: “The publicity here was so pervasive and so prejudicial before and during this trial that it amounted to a structural defect in the proceedings.”
Deputy chief of staff for Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has now responded to the motion, telling CNN: “The court has already rejected many of these arguments and the State will vigorously oppose them.”
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