Minnesota AG asks for severe sentence for Derek Chauvin

Minnesota’s attorney general has requested a severe sentence for former police officer Derek Chauvin for acting with “particular cruelty” in George Floyd’s killing.

Minnesota's attorney general has requested a severe sentence for former police officer Derek Chauvin for acting with "particular cruelty" in the death of George Floyd. State Attorney General Keith Ellison asked Judge Peter Cahill to hand down a harsher sentence based on "five aggravating factors" that "support an upward sentencing departure," in a legal brief filed Friday. Chauvin was found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter on April 20 for the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020. His sentencing has been scheduled for June 25. Chauvin will be sentenced on second-degree murder because, per state law, it's the single most serious charge. But, Minnesota sentencing guidelines suggest Chauvin's more likely to receive up to 15 years, based on his lack of a prior criminal record.