Minnesota is kind of unique in that the jury actually had to render verdict on all three charges. In most states once they find you guilty of the most serious concurrent charge they skip the rest. I do not think that will be a factor in sentencing. Each charge will get its own sentence.
We are moving into a phase where the judge has great latitude. The prosecution will make a recommendation, and there will be a sentencing hearing in 8 weeks when both sides get to speak, along with victim impact statements where Floyd's family will get to say their piece. But really it comes down to the judge and what he thinks is appropriate.
I am thinking he gets the 15. I would be shocked if it were more than 20. The prosecutors office works very closely with the police department and it would really chill that relationship if they went out of their way to extend the sentence beyond the statutory recommendation. The judge has no such working relationship though and he is the one that counts. We'll see in 8 weeks.
Fiddeen years is still a bloody long time, assuming he even does the whole lot.
Remember the guy probably thought he was an untouchable police officer that morning when he got out of bed. He would have had no idea that he'd be killing someone that day, committing an act that lands him in gaol and brings down his world.
You would hope that other cops see it as a deterrent for being equally callous while on the job.
Personally, I get the feeling that when police either use too much or too little force is all due to attitude of its leadership. Capitol police could do nothing if leadership doesn't give them permission and the proper resources... Derek Chauvin could also not do that if he never had implicit permission to apprehend people that way...
I think next step is to make leadership more accountable.
A teller can steal some cash and goto jail, but a banker who stole millions only has to resign to get off the hook, while getting the bonuses and retirement benefits.
We need to hold leadership with more accountability too.
For police chiefs who don't want to go to jail, they better train and discipline their folks properly.
I get the feeling that most cops on the streets are now stuck in between a rock and a hard place... constantly having to choose between whether to be careful and save their own butts or not...
For the racist cops, I fear that this verdict might enrage them and end up acting more inappropriately... pretty sure those types are not simply going to just repent of their sins and change because of one verdict. The war has just begun. At least BLM has won this battle.
[side note to YW] US government is clearly pretty lame at times, but at least we still have some tools against it. Historically american people have been using it to fight to gain more rights. It'd be pretty much impossible for any of the citizens in China to win any battles against the tyrannical CCP. If you dissent, you'd disappear. Even if you're a billionaire!
Last edited by Crazed_Insanity; April 22nd, 2021 at 07:55 AM.
George Floyd didn't wake up thinking he'd be dead too.
And Chauvin heard him say he can't breathe and heard the onlookers saying he can't breathe or you're killing him, and kept his knee on his neck. Fuck Chauvin. I hope the judge throws the entire fucking library at him.
Can’t disagree with Neanderthal on this one!
I wonder if this dick chauvinistic cop felt any remorse. I couldn’t tell with his lack of facial expressions while the verdict was being read...
Anyway, even if you were to execute him, it doesn’t end the BLM movement. This is only the beginning. Will racist cops tone down now? Or will they get worse?
Yes it does.
First cartridge taser deployment effectiveness is around 50% or less in practice (33% in LA, where they actually track trigger pulls in official data). Tasers are notably less effective when people are moving quickly, when people have loose/heavy clothing, and obese people. 2 of those 3 factors were in play here.
I think any reasonable sentance inside the guidelines is enough.
It would serve justice and deterrent.
I actually worry that an extreme sentence could have a negative effect, making police feel like victims. The best result is for police officers to think, yeah that was wrong I should make sure that doesnt happen on my watch. But it could easily become a focus on it being outrageous.
You want to bend, not break.
(well unless you really do want to break and rebuild from scratch)
Agreed.
This doesnt happen unless its supported from above, even if its just in the form of ignoring it.
Id be kicking out people in the direct chain of command above him. They are also responsible for the actions of those below them.
On a related note - Australia had a big problem with corrupt cops a few years back. In particular some areas of Sydney cops were taking bribes and planting evidence. This was seen by them as ok, because they were only doing this to balance the system, earn the money they deserved etc. Newer recruits would get "turned" by the more seniors. They ended up having to do a big cleanout and yes quite a few went to gaol. It required new leadership to make sure the whole force had the right attitude.
It seems to me that this is needed in much of the US police. But its much much harder as your police forces are so localised. We have state based and few states!
Maybe state governors need to come out and take responsibility, force change for their states.