US judge overseeing Derek Chauvin civil rights case accepts plea deal

Former Minneapolis police officer will serve 20 to 25 years in prison

The US judge has accepted the terms of Derek Chauvin's plea agreement and will sentence him to 20 to 25 years in prison. AP

The US judge overseeing the federal civil rights cases of four former Minneapolis police officers in the killing of George Floyd said on Wednesday that he has accepted the terms of Derek Chauvin's plea agreement and will sentence him to 20 to 25 years in prison.

Chauvin pleaded guilty December 15 to violating Floyd's civil rights, admitting for the first time that he kept his knee on Floyd's neck — even after he became unresponsive — resulting in the black man's death on May 25, 2020.

The white former officer admitted he willfully deprived Floyd of his right to be free from unreasonable seizure, including unreasonable force by a police officer.

Shawanda Hill (R), the girlfriend of George Floyd reacts near the spot where he died while in custody of the Minneapolis Police in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP

A protester holds a sign while demonstrating against the death of George Floyd outside the 3rd Precinct Police Precinct in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP

Protesters demonstrate against the death of George Floyd outside the 3rd Precinct Police Precinct in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP

Tear gas is fired as protesters clash with police while demonstrating against the death of George Floyd outside the 3rd Precinct Police Precinct in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP

Women hold signs while protesting near the area where a Minneapolis Police Department officer allegedly killed George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP

A police car drives by as protesters clash with police while demonstrating against the death of George Floyd outside the 3rd Precinct Police Precinct in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP

A protesters runs through tear gas while demonstrating against the death of George Floyd outside the 3rd Precinct Police Precinct in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP

Police dressed in tactical gear attempt to disperse crowds gathered to protest the death of George Floyd outside the 3rd Precinct Police Station in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP

People stand with raised fists as protesters march by while demonstrating against the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP

Protesters demonstrate against the death of George Floyd outside the 3rd Precinct Police Precinct in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP

Protesters march through the streets while demonstrating against the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP

Police officers deploy to disperse protesters gathered for George Floyd in Minneapolis. AP

Protesters and police face each other during a rally for George Floyd in Minneapolis. AP

Amy Gee of Minneapolis holds a sign near the scene of the arrest of George Floyd, who later died in police custody, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. EPA

Under the plea agreement, which Chauvin signed, both sides agreed he should face a sentence ranging from 20 to 25 years, with prosecutors saying they would seek 25. He could have faced life in prison on the federal count.

With credit for good time in the federal system, he would serve from 17 years to 21 years and three months behind bars.

US District Judge Paul Magnuson deferred accepting the agreement pending the completion of a presentence investigation. He said in a one-page order on Wednesday that the report had been issued, so it was now appropriate to accept the deal.

A sentencing date for Chauvin has not yet been set.

Chauvin is already serving a 22.5 year sentence for his murder conviction in state court last year, though he is appealing that conviction. He would serve the federal sentence concurrently with the state sentence.

Protesters march on the Brooklyn Bridge during a demonstration on the first anniversary of the death of George Floyd, in New York. Reuters

Some streets in Manhattan were closed due to the demonstrations on Tuesday evening. AP

The musician Common performs with the Sounds of Blackness at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd's death in May 2020 led to worldwide protests and calls for police reform or abolition. Getty

Robin Puttin leads a prayer while kneeling and raising her hand on the first anniversary of George Floyd's death, at George Floyd Square, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reuters

Electric and LED candles bearing the names of people killed by police illuminate the fist sculpture as people gather at the George Floyd Square. Reuters

A man is reflected in a sign during a vigil held to remember George Floyd in Lynn, Massachusetts. Reuters

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi meets the family of the late George Floyd at the US Capitol in Washington. The family met President Joe Biden and various US politicians, and participated in a memorial at Black Lives Matter Plaza. EPA

People gather at the sight where George Floyd was killed one year ago, at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis - an area now called George Floyd Square. EPA

A man stands next to a mural of George Floyd in Houston, Texas. Reuters

A family member holds onto Gianna Floyd, daughter of George Floyd, at the White House following their meeting with President Biden in Washington. Reuters

Gianna Floyd and other family members and lawyers, raise fists after meeting President Biden in Washington. Reuters

Community organiser Tommy McBrayer leads a chant in solidarity with George Floyd, at George Floyd Square, in Minneapolis. Reuters

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Reverend Al Sharpton kneel with community leaders for nine minutes and 29 seconds, symbolising Floyd's ordeal at the hands of police. Reuters

Philonise Floyd, brother to George Floyd, puts his arm around Speaker Nancy Pelosi, near Rep. Karen Bass, as he and other members of the Floyd family meet politicians at the US Capitol. Reuters

A man places a candle at a memorial in honour of George Floyd, at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. Reuters

Black Lives Matter protesters hold placards and shout slogans in Brooklyn, New York. AFP

People gather at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. AP

A man sits in front of the Say Their Names cemetery, close to George Floyd Square, in Minneapolis. AP

Two women sit on a roof as they listen to a memorial music performance, at George Floyd Square, in Minneapolis. EPA

The federal plea deal means Chauvin will probably spend more time in prison than he faced under his state sentence. State prisoners in Minnesota typically serve one third of their sentence on parole, which for him would mean 15 years in prison.

Chauvin waived his right to contest his federal conviction if Mr Magnuson accepted the plea agreement.

Mr Magnuson also has not set sentencing dates for three other ex-officers who were convicted of related federal civil rights charges in February. The presentence investigations for Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J Alexander Kueng are still under way.

They are scheduled to go on trial next month in state court on charges of aiding and abetting Chauvin in Floyd's murder.

Prosecutors revealed at a pretrial hearing last month that the three had rejected plea agreements on the state charges. Terms were not disclosed.

Lane's lawyer, Earl Gray, said it was hard for the defence to negotiate when the three still did not know what their federal sentences would be.