Derek Chauvin, the former US police officer who sparked global protest after murdering George Floyd in May 2020, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for violating the unarmed black man's civil rights.
The US federal judge's decision came after Chauvin, who is white, agreed to a plea deal that means he will serve 20 to 25 years.
Prosecutors said the sentence should be near the high-end of that range because he murdered Floyd in cold-blood by kneeling on his neck for more than nine minutes on a street in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Footage of the incident, which showed Chauvin pressing Floyd’s neck with his knee until he was unable to breathe, shocked the world and led to an international protest movement calling for an end to human rights abuses by police in the US.
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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
Handing down the sentencing, US District Judge Paul Magnuson said Chauvin's actions were "simply wrong" and "offensive".
During his hearing on Thursday, Chauvin said he wished "all the best" for Floyd's children, but did not make a direct apology or expression of remorse to his victim's family.
Chauvin is already serving a 22.5-year prison sentence from a state court for murdering Floyd, who was 46 at the time of his death.
The plea deal called for him to serve his sentences at the same time and to be transferred from a state prison in Minnesota to a federal prison, which experts say would be safer.
For his own protection, Chauvin has been held in isolation in a room measuring three by three metres at the state's maximum security prison, which he is allowed to leave for an average of one hour a day for exercise.
In entering his federal plea, Chauvin for the first time admitted that he kept his knee on Floyd’s neck, even as the victim pleaded “I can't breathe” then became unresponsive, resulting in his death.
Chauvin admitted that he wilfully deprived Floyd of his right to be free from unreasonable seizure and used unreasonable force as a police officer during the May 2020 arrest.
Floyd's killing sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the world in a reckoning over police brutality and racism.
With credit for good time in the federal system, he could serve between 17 years and 21 years, three months.
In the state system, Chauvin could have become entitled to parole after about 15 years.
Three other former Minneapolis police officers — Tou Thao, J Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane — were convicted in February of federal civil rights charges in Floyd's killing.
Mr Magnuson has not set sentencing dates for them.
Lane is also due to be sentenced on September 21 after pleading guilty in state court to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.
Thao and Kueng turned down plea deals and are due to be tried in state court on October 24 on charges of aiding and abetting.
