Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd, whose dying gasps under Chauvin's knee led to the biggest outcry against racial injustice in the U.S. in generations.
The punishment handed out Friday fell short of the 30 years that prosecutors had requested.
With good behavior, Chauvin, 45, could be paroled after serving two-thirds of his sentence, or about 15 years.
"The sentence is not based on emotion or sympathy," said Judge Peter Cahill, handing down the term at a Minneapolis court after prosecutors sought a 30-year sentence.
He added in a short address that it was also not based on "on public opinion," but on the law and the facts specific to the case.
Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump said the sentence was "historic", the longest prison sentence ever for a Minnesota police officer, and that it would bring the nation "one step closer to healing by delivering closure and accountability."
The sentencing was emotional at times.
George Floyd's seven-year-old daughter, in a videotaped interview, spoke of missing her father and the games they played together.
Floyd's brother Philonise spoke tearfully in court of having nightmares while watching endless replays of the infamous cellphone video that showed Floyd pleading for air under Chauvin's neck.
Another Floyd brother, Terrence, sighed and looked directly at Chauvin.
"Why did you do it? Why did you stay there on his neck?" he demanded.
The answer did not come.
Chauvin, not wanting to influence federal civil rights charges he was facing, only spoke briefly during the sentencing to offer his condolences to the Floyd family.
"I do want to give my condolences to the Floyd family," said Chauvin.
He also said there would be other information eventually coming out that would be of interest to the Floyd family.
In a surprise, Chauvin's mother Carolyn Pawlenty testified to her son's character, calling him a "good man with a big heart".
Outside the courthouse, her testimony, played on a loudspeaker, was greeted with groans and cat-calls.
