Iran Press/ America: In a sentencing brief filed Wednesday, prosecutors cite the trial judge's ruling last month that there were four aggravating factors in Floyd's murder.
Judge Peter Cahill said in a six-page opinion last month that prosecutors had proven that Chauvin had abused his position of trust and authority, treated Floyd with particular cruelty, acted in concert with at least three other people and committed his crime in the presence of children.
The ruling paved the way for Cahill to sentence Chauvin to more than 15 years in prison, the longest punishment for second-degree murder under state sentencing guidelines. Cahill agreed with all but one of the aggravating factors prosecutors cited when they asked for what is known as an upward departure.
Prosecutors wrote in the brief that at Chauvin's sentencing June 25, "the Court should take the next step and hold that each of these aggravating factors" is grounds for imposing a sentence two times the upper end of the presumptive sentencing range.
Floyd, 46, an African American, died on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis after then-police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck, pinning him to the ground for more than nine minutes. Chauvin, who is white, was convicted last month of murder and faces sentencing on June 25. Three other fired officers still face trial.
Floyd's death captured on wrenching bystander video galvanized the racial justice movement and continues to ripple a year later. 219
