Judge finds "aggravating factors" allow for longer sentence for Derek Chauvin

A judge in the Derek Chauvin case has found "aggravating factors" exist that would allow for a longer sentence than Minnesota sentencing guidelines suggest. The fired officer will face sentencing next month for his murder and manslaughter convictions in the murder of George Floyd. 

Chauvin was convicted April 21 of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. A jury agreed with prosecutors who said Chauvin caused Floyd's death when he pinned him to the ground with a knee on his neck for more than nine minutes during a May 2020 arrest in Minneapolis.  Chauvin will only be sentenced on the top count, second-degree murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. But for someone with no criminal history such as Chauvin, Minnesota sentencing guidelines suggest a range of just over 10 and a half years to 15 years in prison.