Derek Chauvin will remain in custody for nine days longer than expected before he is sentenced. Chauvin was originally set to receiving his prison sentence from Judge Peter Cahill on June 16. However, a scheduling conflict has pushed that date back to June 25 at 1:30 p.m. CT.
On April 20, Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and third-degree manslaughter after killing George Floyd. With this conviction, Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison. Given his lack of previous criminal history, he is expected to receive far less than the maximum sentence.
Chauvin's sentencing hearing being delayed does not appear to impact the trial of his three colleagues. Former Minneapolis Police Department Officers J. Alexander Keung, Tou Thao and Thomas Lane have been charged with aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter. The trio is expected to stand trial in late August.
It is important to note that Chauvin's trial has little to no bearing on the outcome of the Keung, Thao and Lane trial. Judge Peter Cahill will also preside over the trial, but the legal proceeding will feature different attorneys, witnesses, jurors and of course, plaintiffs. Legal experts warn that it is possible for Chauvin to be convicted while the other three officers go free.
“You can’t take for granted that you’re going to get the same result," former New Jersey Attorney General John Farmer Jr. told the HuffPost.
In nearby Brooklyn Center, another high-profile case involving a cop killing an unarmed Black man is unfolding. Days before Chauvin was convicted, former police officer KimPotter shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright. Immediately after killing Wright, Potter resigned from the police force and was charged with second-degree manslaughter. It is unclear if she will enter a not guilty plea or reach an agreement with the prosecution.
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