WHO IS JUDGE PETER CAHILL?

Peter Cahill is the Hennepin County Judge, and is known by the lawyers who frequent him as “Classic Cahill.”

Cahill is known in the legal circle as being bold and decisive.

Not only is Cahill presiding over the Derek Chauvin case, but the cases against the three other former officers.

Cahill is known to run a tight courtroom and has demanded everyone be referred to by their titles.

GEORGE FLOYD’S SISTER SAYS POLICE BRUTALITY ‘FINALLY TAKEN SERIOUSLY’

George Floyd’s sister Bridgett Floyd wrote in a statement about the 22.5 year sentence given to her brother’s killer, saying it shows police brutality is “finally being taken seriously”.

“However, we have a long way to go and many changes to make before Black and Brown people finally feel like they are being treated fairly and humanely by law enforcement in this country,” she continued.

CHAUVIN PROMISES ‘MORE INFORMATION’ IN SENTENCING STATEMENT

Derek Chauvin broke his silence in open court to address Floyd’s surviving relatives and explained more information was going to become public that would give them “peace of mind.”

“At this time due to some additional legal matters at hand I’m not able to give a full statement at this time,” he told Judge Peter Cahill. 

“But very briefly though I want to send my condolences to the Floyd family,” Chauvin said.

“There’s going to be some other information in the future that would be of interest and I hope things will give you some peace of mind.”

WHAT DID THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE CHIEF SAY AT CHAUVIN’S HEARING?

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said Chauvin – who was fired from the department after Floyd’s death – failed to follow department use-of-force, de-escalation, and duty to render air policies.

“I absolutely agree that violates our policy,” Chief Arrandondo said when asked about Chauvin’s tactics by the prosecutor.

“That is not part of our policy; that is not what we teach,” he added.

He later added that Chauvin’s actions may have been acceptable during “the first few seconds” of his interaction with Floyd, but not after the man was subdued.

“Once Mr. Floyd had stopped resisting, and certainly once he was in distress and trying to verbalize that, that should have stopped,” Arradondo said.

GEORGE FLOYD’S BROTHER CALLS CHAUVIN SENTENCE ‘SLAP ON THE WRIST’

George Floyd’s brother Rodney Floyd spoke out at a press event, calling Chauvin’s sentence a “slap on the wrist”.

“This 22 year sentence they gave this man is a slap on the wrist. We are serving a life sentence of not having him in our life. And that hurts me to death,” he said of his late brother.

He went on to advocate for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act: “Around the world, black, white, brown, we all need to come together, take our butts to the senate, stand out there and demand this George Floyd Act be passed.”

WHAT DID CHAUVIN’S MOTHER SAY?

At Chuavin’s sentencing hearing, his 73-year-old mother spoke briefly and publicly uttered her first words since her son’s arrest and conviction.

“My son is a good man. Derek always dedicated his life and time to the police department, even on his days off, he would call in to see if they needed help.

“The public will never know the loving and caring man he is, but his family does,” Pawlenty said.

“I’ve always supported him 100 percent in all his trials, Derek has played over and over in his head the vents on that day.

“I’ve seen the toll it has taken on him, I believe a lengthy sentence will not serve Derek well. When you sentence my son, you will also be sentencing me.”

Pawlenty added: “No matter where you go, where you are, I will always be there to visit you.”

AMY KLOBUCHAR SPEAKS OUT ABOUT CHAUVIN SENTENCING

Former presidential candidate and Minnesota Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar joined the ranks of politicians speaking out after Derek Chauvin’s sentencing.

“Today’s sentencing of Derek Chauvin is another step towards accountability for the murder of George Floyd, but it does not bring us true justice,” the senator wrote.

PUBLIC WANTED TO SEE ‘TOUGH’ SENTENCE

Several people interviewed in Minneapolis before Chauvin’s sentencing said they wanted to see a tough sentence.

Thirty years “doesn’t seem like long enough to me,” said Andrew Harer, a retail worker who is white. “I would be fine if he was in jail for the rest of his life.”

Joseph Allen, 31, who is Black, said he would like to see Chauvin get a life sentence, adding that he hopes other police officers learn “not to do what Derek Chauvin did.”

CHAUVIN’S DEFENSE CALLED HIM A PRODUCT OF A ‘BROKEN SYSTEM’

Minnesota sentencing guidelines called for 12 1/2 years, but Judge Peter Cahill agreed with prosecutors ahead of Friday’s proceedings that there were aggravating circumstances that could justify a heavier punishment — among them, that Chauvin treated Floyd with particular cruelty, abused his position of authority as a police officer and did it in front of children.

Prosecutors asked for 30 years, saying Chauvin’s actions were egregious and “shocked the nation’s conscience.”

The defense requested probation, saying Chauvin was the product of a “broken” system and “believed he was doing his job.”

PROSECUTOR MADE SENTENCING ARGUMENT

Prosecutor Matthew Frank made his sentencing argument in front of the court room on Friday afternoon.

“Being a police officer is a difficult job, we ask a lot of them,” he said. “Most officers get it right.”

GEORGE FLOYD’S NEPHEW ASKED FOR FULL SENTENCE

George Floyd’s nephew spoke in court to ask for the maximum sentence for Derek Chauvin.

“One thing we can never get back is George Floyd,” he said.

“It is the request of my family that the maximum penalty for the crime for which the defendant was convicted be imposed.”

You can watch the video below:

TERRENCE FLOYD QUESTIONS DEREK CHAUVIN

George Floyd’s brother, Terrence, questioned why Derek Chauvin killed his brother during a sentencing hearing on Friday afternoon.

You can watch the footage here:

PHILONISE SAID FAMILY ‘GIVEN A LIFE SENTENCE’

George Floyd’s brother, Philonise, provided a victim sentence in court on Friday afternoon.

“My family and I have been given a life sentence. We will never be able to get George back,” he said.

Floyd’s family are hoping that Chauvin receives the maximum sentence possible.

PHILONISE ‘BEGGED FOR JUSTICE’ FOR HIS BROTHER

“One year ago, May 25th, my brother George was murdered by Derek Chauvin and his co-dependents in broad daylight,” the brother said, while he began to wipe his eyes with a tissue.

“Every day I have begged for justice to be served,” he said.

“I haven’t had a real night’s sleep because of the nightmares I’ve constantly had.”

TERRENCE FLOYD SPOKE AT THE COURT HEARING

George Floyd’s brother, Terrence, spoke to the courtroom on Friday afternoon.

Terrence said: “I want to know from the man himself, why? What were you thinking? When you had your knee on my brother’s neck?”

Chauvin showed little emotion, with his eyes just darting around the room, as Terrence began to break down in tears.

FLOYD’S FAMILY ASK FOR MAXIMUM SENTENCE

George Floyd’s family issued a statement in court, asking for Derek Chauvin to receive the maximum sentence.

Chauvin, 45, faces a potential decadeslong sentence, with some legal experts predicting 20 to 25 years.

He is also awaiting trial on federal civil rights charges in Floyd’s death, along with three other fired officers who have yet to have their state trials.

CHAVUIN’S ATTORNEY ASKED FOR A NEW TRIAL

Chauvin’s sentencing comes just hours after Chauvin’s attorney requested a new trial after it was reported that one of the jurors on the case attended an anti-police protest last summer, but Judge Peter Cahill has refused to grant the request.

Attorney Eric Nelson requested the trial on the grounds of: “the interest of justice; abuse of discretion that deprived the Defendant of a fair trial; prosecutorial and jury misconduct; errors of law at trial; and a verdict that is contrary to law.”

PUBLIC WANTED TO SEE ‘TOUGH’ SENTENCE

Several people interviewed in Minneapolis before Chauvin’s sentencing said they wanted to see a tough sentence.

Thirty years “doesn’t seem like long enough to me,” said Andrew Harer, a retail worker who is white. “I would be fine if he was in jail for the rest of his life.”

Joseph Allen, 31, who is Black, said he would like to see Chauvin get a life sentence, adding that he hopes other police officers learn “not to do what Derek Chauvin did.”

MOTHER SAYS CHAUVIN’S SENTENCE WILL ‘NOT SERVE HIM WELL’

Chauvin’s mom, Carolyn Pawlenty, also spoke for the first time, telling the judge “my son is a good man.”

“The public will never know the loving and caring man he is, but his family does,” she insisted, before adding that a “lengthy sentence will not serve Derek well.”

CROWDS CELEBRATED AFTER HEARING CHAUVIN SENTENCE

Protesters outside of the Cup Foods store, where Floyd was killed, celebrated the news when it was broke.

Floyd family attorney, Ben Crump, issued a statement following the result, saying: “This historic sentence brings the Floyd family and our nation one step closer to healing by delivering closure and accountability.

“For once, a police officer who wrongly took the life of a Black man was held to account. While this shouldn’t be exceptional, tragically it is.”

JUDGE ADDRESSED ‘TREMENDOUS PAIN’ OF FLOYD FAMILY

On Friday, Judge Peter Cahill determined that Chauvin will be in jail for 22-and-a-half-years.

The judge insisted that his sentence was not based on “emotion or sympathy,” adding that he was not trying to “Send any messages.”

“But at the same time I want to acknowledge the deep and tremendous pain that all the families are feeling, especially the Floyd family,” he said.

Chauvin’s sentence means that he is no longer permitted to carry firearms for the rest of his life and that he must register as a predatory offender.

CHAUVIN ADDRESSED THE FLOYD FAMILY

“At this time due to some additional legal matters at hand I’m not able to give a full statement at this time, but very briefly though I want to send my condolences to the Floyd family,” Chauvin said.

“There’s going to be some other information in the future that would be of interest and I hope things will give you some peace of mind.”

CHAUVIN WILL REGISTER AS A PREDATORY OFFENDER

As part of his sentence, Chauvin will have to register as a predatory offender.

According to the state of Minnesota, a person is treated as a predatory offender if the person has committed felony criminal sexual conduct or certain other designated sex crimes, kidnapping, or false imprisonment.

These crimes are often referred to as predatory offenses.

WHAT IS SECOND AND THIRD DEGREE MURDER?

Second-degree murder is when a person commits a felony crime, and as a result, causes death – without intent.

Third-degree murder is defined by “by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind,” without regard for life and without intent to kill.

It happens when a person carries out a dangerous action, which they knew had the potential to kill but disregards the risk.

REV. AL SHARPTON SPEAKS AFTER CHAUVIN SENTENCING

“We humbly thank you for giving this family the strength to stand where other families didn’t even get a court date,” Sharpton said.