Chauvin Sentenced to 22 1/2 Years For Floyd Murder

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd, whose dying gasps under Chauvin's knee led to the biggest outcry against racial injustice in the U.S. in generations.

The punishment handed out Friday fell short of the 30 years that prosecutors had requested.

With good behavior, Chauvin, 45, could be paroled after serving two-thirds of his sentence, or about 15 years.

Chauvin broke his long courtroom silence Friday, 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.

"But very briefly, though, I do want to give my condolences to the Floyd family. There's going to be some other information in the future that would be of interest. And I hope things will give you some peace of mind," he said, without elaborating.