In issuing the sentence, the judge noted Chauvin’s cruelty toward Floyd and the abuse of authority.
“It happens so often that you get tired of being tired, and you learn how to live through the trauma.”
His death led to changes to some police practices last summer, but racial justice advocates say that was only the beginning.
Prosecutors accuse the former officer and others of using excessive force and violating George Floyd’s rights. The rare federal charges follow state charges in a trial in which Chauvin was convicted.
“I don’t really know what justice is. Somebody going to jail is not really justice, you know? It’s just, like, being locked up. You still get food every day. You still can see your loved ones while that [victim] is dead and gone, you know?”
One of the key bills Democratic lawmakers hope to pass in this new session: a statewide ban on the use of chokeholds.
