Derek Chauvin and his defenders ask the judge to either sentence him to a suspended sentence or a milder sentence than the guidelines in the state of Minnesota dictate. It appears from court documents that were sent to the judge on Wednesday, writes CBS News.
In the court documents, Chauvin’s defenders point out that he has not previously been convicted, that he has worked as a police officer and that he will fear for his own safety if he is to serve time in prison.
Defendants further claim that Chauvin is the result of a “broken system”, and believe the murder of George Floyd should be seen in this light.
They believe this speaks for a mild punishment, which judge Peter Cahill will impose on 25 June.
Requires 30 years
The prosecuting authority, for its part, is clear that the judge should impose a more severe punishment than the state’s guidelines dictate.
– Chauvin brutally killed Floyd, and abused the authority that the police sign gave him, the prosecution writes.
They are seeking a 30-year sentence, which they believe is appropriate for “the far-reaching consequences Chauvin’s actions had for George Floyd, Floyd’s family and society.”
Aggravating circumstances
Chavin was found guilty on all counts on April 21, and the jury agreed that the former police officer caused George Floyd’s death by kneeling on his neck for over nine minutes.
Chauvin now faces up to 40 years in prison, although Minnesota’s guidelines dictate that he be sentenced to somewhere between 10 and 15 years behind bars.
Judge Peter Cahill has previously stated that there are aggravating circumstances behind the murder, which opens up for Chauvin to be sentenced to more than what the guidelines dictate. Among the aggravating circumstances are Chavin’s abuse of the police role, that the murder took place in front of a child and that the then policeman acted with “distinct evil”.
– Floyd begged for his life and was obviously terrified as he would probably die. Chauvin was clearly indifferent to Floyd’s cry for help, the judge ruled.
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