Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 21 years in prison for violating George Floyd’s civil rights.
Chauvin will be serving the federal sentence concurrently with his 22-and-a half year sentence for murder and manslaughter.
As George Floyd lay dying, the former police officer held him to the ground outside a Minneapolis corner store for nine minutes.
US District Judge Paul Magnuson told Chauvin that what he did was “simply incorrect” and “offensive.”
Mr Magnuson stated that he didn’t understand why he did what he did.
“To place your knees on someone’s neck until they die is just wrong.”
Floyd’s brother Philonise asked for the maximum sentence.
He stated that he had been sentenced to a life imprisonment by his family.
“We will never be able to get George’s whole life back.”
Federal prosecutors asked Chauvin’s judge to sentence him to 25 years.
Chauvin initially pleaded guilty to federal charges but changed his plea in December.
Eric Nelson, Chauvin’s lawyer, had requested 20 years and argued that he was sorry.
Floyd’s family was not able to hear his apology.
Instead, he said to the family that he wished Floyd’s children all the best and that Floyd has given them “excellent guidance in becoming great adults”.
Chauvin confessed for the first time that he kept Floyd’s neck on his knees, even though he claimed he couldn’t breathe.
Protests against racism and police brutality around the world were sparked by the murder.
Magnuson did not give sentencing dates to the three other officers on the scene – Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Keung, and Tou Thao – who were convicted of federal civil rights violations in February.
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