When the injustice of George Floyd’s case hit the media, rage struck the nation. Now, a new verdict and unexpected event has occurred: Derek Chauvin has guilty.
While Chauvin’s original sentence and conviction deemed him guilty of murder and the consequence of 22 and a half years in prison, his new verdict only extended his stay in prison by 2 and a half years, a sentence expected to be extended by decades.
Chauvin’s plea agreement consisted of the avoidance of life imprisonment should the case go to trial, the agreement to never work in law enforcement after his release, waiving his rights to appeal his conviction and not facing trial for violating the civil rights of George Floyd and another14-year-old he had also taken advantage of.
However, the question is if this sentencing is a fair repercussion for his crimes. Chauvin did not deny violating Floyd’s rights and also admitted to willfully harming Floyd as well as abusing his power as law enforcement. Chauvin also willfully admitted to yet another Black victim he abused, an unnamed minor.
Based on Chauvin’s knowledge of what he was doing and his knowledge of the Minneapolis Police Department’s policy that requires officers to stop using force once an arrestee has stopped resisting, an extension of only two and a half years does not seem adequate for a person who admittedly knew what was happening.
“In the plea agreement, defendant Chauvin admitted that on May 25, 2020, he willfully violated Mr. Floyd’s constitutional right to be free from an officer’s use of unreasonable force. Defendant Chauvin further admitted that he continued to use force even though he was aware that Mr. Floyd had stopped resisting, talking and moving, and even though he was aware that Mr. Floyd had lost consciousness and a pulse,” a government website stating the case said.
Chauvin’s prejudice and abuse of power has bewildered the nation. While Chauvin first received a sentencing of 22 and a half years, during his most recent trial, he took a plea in exchange for admitting guilt. This plea provided him with only two and a half years extended from his original sentence. Would this luxury be provided to any other arrested person for the same crimes if Chauvin were not white or law enforcement?
