George Floyd's family: Derek Chauvin jail term 'not harsh enough'

26 June 2021, 00:43

George Floyd's brother Philonise with other family members at a meeting with Nancy Pelosi in May
George Floyd's brother Philonise with other family members at a meeting with Nancy Pelosi in May. Picture: PA
Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

The family of George Floyd have said Derek Chauvin's 22-and-a-half year jail term for his murder is "not harsh enough".

Relatives of the man who died while in police custody in Minneapolis last year have branded the killer's prison sentence as too lenient.

One of Mr Floyd's brothers, Rodney Floyd, called the jail term handed to ex-police officer Chauvin a "slap on the wrist".

He said: "We've suffered a life sentence for not having him in our life, and that hurts me to death."

Chauvin, the white former cop who was filmed pinning George Floyd to the ground with his knee for more than nine minutes, was jailed for 22 years and six months on Friday.

In April, he was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter of Mr Floyd on 25 May 2020.

Read more: Derek Chauvin jailed for over 22 years for murdering George Floyd

Read more: 'I miss and love you': Family give impact statements prior to sentencing

Derek Chauvin found guilty of the murder of George Floyd

The former Minneapolis police officer was also banned from owning firearms for life.

On Friday, he stepped to the lectern after impact statements, to say: "I want to give my condolences to the Floyd family."

Mr Floyd's case drew global attention after his death prompted protests across the world.

Another brother, Terrence Floyd, said he was "a little leery about the sentencing" until he had a dream in which his father appeared.

"I knew my father was saying, 'You're good. he's good. keep doing what you're doing. For me, for your brother, for your name,'" he added.

"We're Floyd strong and we're gonna stay strong."

Read more: Former officer Derek Chauvin found guilty of George Floyd murder

Explained: A timeline of events as Derek Chauvin is found guilty of murder

Derek Chauvin trial: 'Today justice has been served'

Meanwhile, George's nephew Brandon Williams said the sentence was not harsh enough.

"We can't get George back," he said.

The family's attorney Ben Crump said his loved ones had got "some measure of accountability" but that they are hoping Chauvin gets the maximum at his upcoming federal civil rights trial.

Mr Crump added that it was the longest sentence a police officer has ever received in the state of Minnesota.

"Real justice would simply be that George Floyd would be here with his family," Mr Crump said.

"We have to remember, real justice in America will be black men and black women and people of colour who will not have to fear being killed by the police just because the colour of their skin. That would be real justice."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Israel's Foreign Ministry portrayed the voyage as a public relations stunt, earlier calling it "the 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities'.

Passengers on Greta Thunberg's 'Freedom Flotilla' arrive at Israeli Airport to return to the UK, Israel says

Many of those polled by the GMB union reported being too scared to work, while one said they carried a baseball bat in their car to ward off attackers.

'I don’t feel safe in the UK anymore': Private hire drivers speak out over violent attacks and rising fear

Lynch syndrome is a rare condition which runs in families which puts people at a higher risk of developing cancers of the bowel, womb and ovaries.

'Too many women are being missed': Cancer risk warning as families left in the dark over genetic testing gaps

Passengers walking past a class 374 Eurostar train at London St Pancras International train station, London, UK

Eurostar unveils plans to launch direct trains from UK to Germany and Switzerland

Woodland Trust warns UK forests are failing nature and climate

'Alarmingly few ancient trees left': Woodland Trust warns UK forests are failing nature and climate

A father and son at the water's edge on Brighton Beach

UK has one of 'worst statutory leave offers for fathers and other parents in the developed world', Equalities boss says

x

Mum of autistic teen 'obsessed with Hitler' who took her own life slams agencies over 'missed opportunities'

Meg Moore - Love Island star

'Too glam for a 9-to-5 job': Love Island star’s remark irks viewers in first episode of hit reality show

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Speaks At Chatham House

Brits 'better learn to speak Russian' if UK does not ramp up defence spending, Nato secretary-general warns

‘Freedom Flotilla’

Greta Thunberg's 'Freedom Flotilla' arrives in Israeli port

Sly And The Family Stone

Legendary funk rocker and soul musician Sly Stone dies aged 82

Protesters help news photographer Nick Stern after an injury during a protest in Compton, Calif., Saturday, June 7, 2025, after federal immigration authorities conducted operations.

'US police want to win', says British photographer injured by 'plastic bullet' in LA protests amid immigration crackdown

Morin-Briton, of Rosehill, Sutton, was found guilty of murder and possession of a knife

Killer jailed for life after 'senseless' stabbing of man in South London car park

Women who experience domestic violence are at higher risk of traumatic brain injury and mental health conditions almost 30 years after escaping their abusers, a study suggests.

Women who experience domestic violence 'at higher risk of brain injury almost 30 years after escaping abusers'

Ada Bikakci

London bus driver who killed girl, 9, on bike after falling asleep at wheel while on drugs jailed for four years

Lively and Baldoni have been locked in a legal battle for months

Judge dismisses Justin Baldoni's $400m defamation lawsuit against former co-star Blake Lively