A Minnesota judge has been asked to consider probation for Derek Chauvin [Opinion]

This morning’s headlines took our breath away — literally. Talk about guts and no brains. Derek Chauvin is void of any sense of culpability for the murder he committed. Probation? Not in this lifetime.

Did Derek Chauvin give George Floyd probation — or a slim chance to breathe while he had his knee dug into Floyd’s neck? No way.

As onlookers pleaded with Chauvin to stop, the cocky cop seemed more resolute and defiant.

Derek Chauvin asked a judge to sentence him to a term of probation or a shorter prison term than suggested by Minnesota guidelines in a sentencing memorandum filed Wednesday, according to CBSNews.com. The memo cites Chauvin’s lack of previous criminal history, his previous work as a police officer and the risk he could be victimized in prison as factors the judge should consider as he weighs a sentence.

Victimized in prison? We would pray no one is victimized in prison although we are not so naive to think that doesn’t happen. We don’t wish that on Chauvin or anyone else.

One question: Did Chauvin think — or has he thought — about how he victimized Floyd? He crossed the line of victimization. He murdered a man on on the streets of Minneapolis in broad daylight while onlookers pleaded for him to stop.

In another memorandum filed Wednesday, prosecutors asked for a sentence of 30 years for the convicted former Minneapolis officer, a term they said would “properly account for the profound impact of [Chauvin’s] conduct on the victim, the victim’s family, and the community.”

Chauvin was convicted April 21 of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd. 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.

Last month, Judge Peter Cahill found “aggravating factors” exist that allow for him to sentence Chauvin to a term longer than the suggested 15 years. Cahill agreed with prosecutors that four such factors exist: that Chauvin committed a crime in front of a child, that Chauvin acted with particular cruelty, that he acted as part of a group, and that he abused his position of trust and authority as a police officer.

Probation for Derek Chauvin? No way.

 

Image Sources

  • Derek Chauvin: YouTube screen capture