Bad news for Derek Chauvin
It was great news when, after a long and difficult trial, murderer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd. And now comes some more good news. The judge who presided over the Chauvin trial, Judge Peter Cahill, has decided aggravating factors can be considered at sentencing.
This means essentially that Chauvin may possibly receive more prison time than he would have if there were no aggravating factors.
In his ruling, Judge Cahill said the Prosecution has proven that aggravating factors were used. Cahill’s decision specifically focused on several factors. One is that the murderer abused his position of authority as a Police Officer. Cahill also cited the use of “particular cruelty.”
The other two factors mentioned by Cahill were that Chauvin did all this as part of a group and that children were present during the commission of the crime. This is welcome news because Chauvin should get as much time as possible. Chauvin’s defense attorney had argued there were no aggravating factors.
To be clear, this ruling does not mean Cahill HAS to give an unusually long sentence. However, it does mean that the Prosecution was successful in proving there ARE aggravating factors TO consider. But the final verdict is entirely in the hands of the judge.
The actual sentencing will happen on June 25th. In the meantime, Chauvin remains locked up where he will undoubtedly be for a very long time.
