Yesterday, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 and a half year's in prison for the murder of George Floyd.

His sentencing came after being convicted of second-degree unintentional murder back in April. The former cop was also found guilty of second-degree manslaughter and third-degree murder.

At his sentencing hearing yesterday, Chauvin wore a grey suit and publicly addressed the Floyd family for the first time.

Per CNN, Chauvin said prior to his sentence being imposed: "Due to some additional legal matters at hand, I’m not able to really give a full formal statement at this time. Briefly, though, I do want to give my condolences to the Floyd family." He then appeared to turn to look at George Floyd's family.

Chauvin then added: "There's gonna be some other information in the future that would be of interest and I hope things will give you some peace of mind. Thank you."

While Chauvin's comments were brief, it is believed to be the most he has said publicly since he was recorded by bystanders kneeling on George Floyd during the fatal arrest back in May 2020.

CNN also reports that Chauvin's 22 and a half year sentence exceeds the Minnesota sentencing guideline range of 10 years and eight months to 15 years for the crime - however, it is still shorter than the 30 years prosecutors were seeking.

Minnesota law will require Chauvin to serve two-third of his sentence (15 years), after which, he will be eligible for supervised release for the remaining seven and a half years.

The Metro reports that prior to issuing Chauvin's sentence, Judge Peter Cahill stated that he had read an additional statement from Chauvin that has not been made public.

Cahill also stated that the 22 and a half year sentence was not influenced by either emotion or public opinion, but he did say that he "[acknowledged] the deep and tremendous pain that all of the families are feeling, especially the Floyd family."

Per CNN, Cahill wrote in a 22-page memorandum that Chauvin "abused his position of trust or authority" and treated Floyd with "particular cruelty". These two aggravating factors are what lead to his harsher sentence.

The judge added that Chauvin treated Floyd "without respect and denied him the dignity owed to all human beings."

Minnesota Department of Corrections spokesperson Sarah Fitzgerald told CNN that Chauvin will now be held in a restricted housing unit separated from the general population at the Minnesota Oak Park Heights correctional facility.

Fitzgerald noted that his "ultimate placement is undetermined," but Chauvin's safety is a "predominate concern".

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Derek Chauvin will be sentenced on June 16 for his part in the murder of George Floyd.

Per ABC News, the time of the sentencing hearing is set for 1:30PM (central).

The sentencing date comes after the former Minneapolis police officer was found guilty on Tuesday of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.

Chauvin now faces a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison for his part in the death of Floyd, after the former cop fatally restrained Floyd by kneeling on his neck for over nine minutes during the May 2020 arrest.

CBS News reports that despite second-degree murder carrying a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, third-degree murder carrying 25 years, and second-degree manslaughter carrying 10 years, Minnesota sentencing guidelines recommend convicts serve their sentences on multiple convictions concurrently.

Additionally, these guidelines also suggest less time for offenders with no criminal history - a category Chauvin fits into. Because of this, it is unlikely he will be sentenced to the full 40 years.

Cameras in the court on Tuesday managed to pick up the handwritten note Chauvin had scrawled onto his hand; the phone number for his attorney, Eric Nelson.

In a statement to TMZ, Nelson explained that Chauvin did this in anticipation of having his bail revoked following the guilty verdict on all charges.

George Floyd's family has also spoken out following Chauvin's guilty verdict.

Per People magazine, George's bother, Philonise Floyd, stated that the family was now "able to breathe again".

George's other brother, Terrance, stated:

"My family is a family that will not back down from prayer. And I believe because of prayer, we got the verdict we wanted.

"We got on our knees. Some of us stood up, but we asked the right one. We said – God, we need justice, we need it now. And he answered. I'm just grateful."

Additionally, in an interview with Good Morning Britain, Floyd's 52-year-old sister, LaTonya, said that she would be "praying" for Chauvin.

"I pray for him, I pray for him, I do and I’m going to continue to pray for him," she said. "In his heart, he wasn't guilty, he wasn't really expecting that. He has nothing to apologize for because he didn't think he was wrong."

Meanwhile, The New York Times reports that Chauvin is now being kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Oak Park Heights, being allowed out for one hour's exercise.

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Footage has surfaced of the moment George's Floyd's family heard that Derek Chauvin had been found guilty following the fatal arrest back in May 2020.

The video in question, which you can view below, shows the family of the late Floyd watching the trial virtually while at home, and celebrating as the jury in Chauvin's trial returned a guilty verdict.

Jurors found the former Minneapolis police officer guilty on all three charges, which consisted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.

Chauvin now faces a maximum sentence of up to 75 years in prison for his part in the death of Floyd, after the former cop fatally restrained Floyd by kneeling on his neck for over nine minutes.

When footage of the incident emerged online, Floyd's death sparked a wave of protests across America and the entire world over the issues of police brutality and racial profiling.

Floyd's surviving relatives have since commented on the verdict in various statements made to the press in the aftermath of the trial's conclusion.

People magazine reports that George Floyd's bother Philonise Floyd stated that the family was now "able to breathe again".

Philonise also referenced 20-year-old Daunte Wright, who was shot and killed by ex Brooklyn Center policewoman Kimberly Potter during a traffic stop earlier this month.

He then went on to state that he plans to testify before Congress on behalf of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a wide-ranging bill that aims to achieve greater transparency and accountability from American police officers.

Per People, George's other brother Terrance stated:

"My family is a family that will not back down from prayer. And I believe because of prayer, we got the verdict we wanted.

"We got on our knees. Some of us stood up, but we asked the right one. We said: 'God, we need justice, we need it now,' and He answered. I'm just grateful."

Meanwhile, Floyd's eldest brother Rodney stated: "This is a victory for all of us. There is no color barrier on all of this. This is for everyone held down, pinned down [...] For George, this fight is not over."

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Derek Chauvin's guilty verdict in the George Floyd trial is "not a cause for celebration," according to a lead prosecutor.

The former Minneapolis police officer was found guilty on April 20 of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.

The ex-cop now faces a maximum sentence of up to 40 years behind bars for his role in Floyd's tragic death, which saw Chauvin kneel on his neck for over nine minutes back in May 2020.

And while millions have welcomed the guilty verdict with open arms, the attorney general of Minnesota Keith Ellison says he did not celebrate the outcome.

Per The Star Tribune, the lead prosecutor has reflected on the ordeal that sparked a mass protests across the nation, saying: "It's not a cause for celebration."

He told the publication: "It’s sad, very sad. One man’s dead and another man’s going to prison for a long time."

Ellison's team led the prosecution in this trial, which was assisted by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.

The attorney general of Minnesota was responsible for bringing several high-profile external attorneys to work alongside the prosecution.

But while Ellison says Chauvin's verdict did not spark a sigh of relief from him, the same cannot be said for Floyd's family.

Per People magazine, George's bother, Philonise Floyd, stated that the family was now "able to breathe again".

George's other brother, Terrance, stated:

"My family is a family that will not back down from prayer. And I believe because of prayer, we got the verdict we wanted.

"We got on our knees. Some of us stood up, but we asked the right one. We said – God, we need justice, we need it now. And he answered. I'm just grateful."

Additionally, in an interview with Good Morning Britain, Floyd's 52-year-old sister, LaTonya, said that she would be "praying" for Chauvin.

Speaking after the verdict, she said:

"I pray for him, I pray for him, I do and I’m going to continue to pray for him.

"In his heart, he wasn't guilty, he wasn't really expecting that. He has nothing to apologize for because he didn't think he was wrong."

The ex-cop will be sentenced on June 16, with the time of the hearing being set for 1:30PM (central).

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Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for violating George Floyd's civil rights.

The 46-year-old former Minneapolis police officer is already serving a 22-and-a-half-year sentence on state charges of murder and manslaughter.

As reported by the Guardian, the federal sentence was announced on Thursday (July 7) and will run concurrently with the original sentencing. It also states that Chauvin will be transferred to federal prison.

Chauvin's additional sentencing given by the US district judge Paul Magnuson comes after he agreed to a plea deal where he admitted for the first time in December that he violated Floyd’s civil rights by kneeling on his neck and back.

Per Sky News, Chauvin was told by Magnuson that what he did was "simply wrong" and "offensive," with the judge adding: "To put your knee on a person's neck until they expired is simply wrong."

The ex-cop pinned Floyd to the sidewalk outside a Minneapolis corner shop for more than nine minutes on May 25, 2020. Floyd was pronounced dead shortly after.

His plea carried a 20 to 25-year sentence, and prosecutors argued that his actions were cold-blooded and that he should receive the full amount of time.

The defense asked for 20 years, stating that Chauvin has accepted accountability and responsibility for his actions. His attorney, Eric Nelson, wrote that his client’s "remorse will be made apparent to this Court".

However, during the courtroom, Chauvin didn't apologize to Floyd’s family members. Instead, he wished Floyd’s children "all the best in their life" and that they would have "excellent guidance in becoming good adults".

Meanwhile, Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, also asked the court to give the former officer the maximum sentence.

"My brother was murdered in broad daylight with a knee to his neck for nine minutes," said Philonise. "The family and I have been given a life sentence, we will never get George back.

Despite admitting that he violated Floyd’s civil rights, Chauvin is still appealing his murder conviction, on the grounds that jurors were intimidated by widespread protests and affected by publicity before his trial.

Floyd repeatedly said "I can’t breathe" as Chauvin knelt on his neck. His death sparked worldwide protests against racism and police brutality and reinvigorated the Black Lives Matter movement.

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