Minnesota Court of Appeals Upholds Conviction and 22 1/2-Year Sentence of Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin for Killing of George Floyd

The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday upheld the second-degree murder conviction and 22 1/2-year sentence of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd. The three-judge panel rejected Chauvin’s attorney’s argument that the massive pretrial publicity and legal and procedural errors deprived Chauvin of a fair trial.

The incident occurred on May 25, 2020, when Chauvin, who is white, used his knee to pin Floyd, a black man, to the ground for 9 1/2 minutes. The incident sparked nationwide protests and outrage, and Chauvin was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.

In April 2021, Chauvin was found guilty on all three counts and sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison for second-degree murder, four years for third-degree murder, and four years for second-degree manslaughter. The sentences were to be served consecutively, for a total of 22 1/2 years.

Chauvin’s attorney appealed the conviction, arguing that the massive pretrial publicity and legal and procedural errors deprived Chauvin of a fair trial. However, the Minnesota Court of Appeals rejected the appeal, upholding the conviction and sentence.

The court’s decision is a victory for justice and a reminder that no one is above the law. The case has sparked a nationwide conversation about police brutality and racial injustice, and the court’s decision is a reminder that those responsible for such acts will be held accountable.