Derek Chauvin is a former Minneapolis police officer who has been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter for the death of George Floyd, an African American, following a clash in South Minneapolis on May 25, 2020. The video of the clash with Floyd went viral on social media, in which Floyd can be seen suffocating under Derek Chauvin’s knee, who reportedly pressed his knee on George Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Following George Floyd’s death, multiple demonstrations and protests broke out in more than 100 cities in the United States and around the world.
Protesters hold signs calling for justice for George Floyd’s death
Wiki/Biography
Derek Michael Chauvin was born on Friday, March 19, 1976 (45 years old in 2021) in Oakdale, Minnesota, United States. He grew up in the St. Paul area and attended Park High School in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Although Chauvin did not graduate, he received a high school equivalency certificate. Chauvin has since attended several community colleges and Metropolitan State University in Minnesota. In 2006, Chauvin graduated from Metropolitan State University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement. He also attended a technical college, where he studied food preparation and took courses such as “Pantry Preparation”, “Job Hunting Skills” and “Stocks, Sauces and Soups”. Later, he worked as a cook at McDonald’s. He also worked at Tinucci’s Restaurant, where he cooked ribs and chicken. In addition to being a cook, Chauvin also worked as a security guard at the Latin nightclub El Nuevo Rodeo, where George Floyd also worked as a security guard.
Family and Race
Derek Chauvin was born into a white American family. His wife, Kelly, is a Laotian immigrant and has two children from his previous marriage. They got married on June 12, 2010 in Washington County.
Derek Chauvin’s wife Carrie Chauvin
Kelly is also the first Hmong winner of the Mrs. Minnesota pageant.
Kelly Chauvin as Miss Minnesota
Profession
Derek Chauvin, 25, joined the Minneapolis Police Department in 2001. Prior to that, he served as a military policeman in the U.S. Army from 1996 to 2000, stationed in Rochester, Minnesota and Hohenfels, Germany. Chauvin served in the Minneapolis Police Department for 19 years until he was fired after the death of George Floyd.
Death of George Floyd
Minneapolis police arrested George Floyd between 8:08 and 8:28 p.m. on May 25, 2020, after they mistakenly believed he was trying to buy cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 bill at a Minneapolis store. A video of the arrest showed Floyd on the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back. Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck while Floyd complained that he couldn’t breathe. Chauvin reportedly pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
It is reported that on the evening of May 25, after receiving a call from a grocery store stating that Floyd used a forged check, Officers Chauvin and Tao stepped forward to handcuff Floyd. When Floyd resisted arrest, they dragged him out of the car and pressed him to the ground.
Arrest and trial
On May 26, 2020, the police officers involved in the arrest and confrontation with George Floyd were suspended. Later that day, all four officers (Derrick Michael Chauvin, Tou Thao, Thomas K. Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng) were fired. On the same day, the FBI announced an investigation into the matter.
On May 28, 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI issued a joint statement, making the investigation of Floyd’s death a “top priority.” They stated in the statement,
A full investigation compiles all available information and thoroughly evaluates evidence and information obtained from witnesses…If it is determined that federal law was violated, criminal charges will be filed.”
On May 29, 2020, Derek Chauvin became the first white police officer in Minnesota to be arrested for the death of a black civilian. Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Later, the charges against Chauvin were upgraded from third-degree to second-degree. On June 29, all four men (Derrick Michael Chauvin, Thao Thao, Thomas K. Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng) appeared in court.
Officer charged in George Floyd killing
Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter A. Cahill set the next hearing for September 11, 2020, and the trial date for March 8, 2021. It is reported that three of the four former Minneapolis police officers facing charges in the death of George Floyd were later released from prison, and only Derek Chauvin remained in prison with a bail of $1.25 million. Subsequently, Chauvin was also released on bail. On April 20, 2021, after considering three weeks of testimony from 45 witnesses, including bystanders, police officers, and medical experts, a jury of 12 jurors found Chauvin guilty of all three charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter; after the verdict was read, Chauvin was immediately handcuffed and detained.
Derek Chauvin is handcuffed after being found guilty of the death of George Floyd in a Minneapolis court on April 20, 2021
He was reportedly sent to the state’s maximum-security prison in Oak Park Heights. After the verdict, President Joe Biden said in a televised address,
This was a broad daylight murder that pulled the blinders off and opened the eyes of the world to systemic racism. This could be a huge step toward justice in America.”
Outside the court, a large number of protesters celebrated the verdict. George Floyd’s brother Philonise said at a press conference with several family members,
We can breathe again.”
On June 25, 2021, Chauvin was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison; previously, the sentencing guidelines range was 10 years and 8 months. This is the first time that Minnesota has exceeded 15 years. When sentencing, Judge Peter Cahill said that he wanted to –
Acknowledging the deep and overwhelming grief felt by all families, especially Floyd’s family.”
Chauvin will be held in a restrictive housing unit at Oak Park Heights Correctional Facility in Minnesota, which is separate from general inmate housing, said Sarah Fitzgerald, a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
Wife Kelly files for divorce
Kelly planned to divorce Derek shortly after his arrest, and the two separated three days after Mr. Floyd was killed. She also reportedly asked to change her last name. Kelly and Derek Chauvin were married for nearly 10 years. In describing Derek Chauvin, Kelly told a local newspaper,
Underneath all that uniform, he’s just a soft-hearted guy. He still opens doors for me, still puts on my coat. After my divorce, I made a list of things I had to have if I was going to be in a relationship, and he checked all the boxes.”
On May 31, 2020, 45-year-old Kelly Chauvin filed for divorce in the Washington County District Court. According to reports, she also requested that the two houses of the couple be returned in the divorce. Speaking of this, Jack De Water, a lawyer with 18 years of experience in family law, said,
Housing is only part of the marital property. If you don’t know what the other party can get besides housing, [the divorce petition] It doesn’t really tell you if the person is asking for more than 50 percent.”
Kellie Chauvin, a former real estate agent, was unemployed when she filed for divorce. In her divorce filing, she asked for a “fair and equitable division” of personal property, vehicles, and all bank, retirement and investment accounts. Kellie reportedly neither sought nor provided alimony. She also asked for exclusive possession of their primary residence in Oakdale and a townhouse in Windermere, Florida. The Oakdale house, which they purchased in 2017 for $260,000, is now worth $273,800. The Florida townhouse, which they purchased in 2011 for $210,900, is now worth $226,282.
Other disputes
- Chauvin’s record as a police officer is riddled with allegations of misconduct and excessive force, with nearly 18 complaints filed against him during his 19-year career.
- In August 2007, a Minneapolis woman, Melissa Borton, filed a complaint against Chauvin and another officer, alleging that Chauvin and another officer pulled her over as she was walking home from the grocery store with her baby. In her complaint, she said they approached her car, reached into the car “without saying a word,” opened the door, dragged her out and stuffed her into the back seat of the police car. The officers allegedly stopped her for speeding 10 miles over the limit.
- During Chauvin’s incarceration, eight Minnesota prison guards of color claimed that Chauvin received special treatment from prison authorities. They also said they saw a white guard sitting on Chauvin’s bed and allowing Chauvin to use her cellphone.
Facts/Trivia
- Chauvin is the first white police officer to be arrested in Minnesota for allegedly causing the death of a black civilian.
- Chauvin and Floyd worked at El Nuevo Rodeo, a Latin nightclub, but it is unclear whether they knew each other at the time. Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump said Chauvin and Floyd had met at the nightclub, but nightclub owner Maya Santamaria said in an interview that she was not sure whether they had met.
- Maya Santamaria recalled Chauvin’s behavior when he worked as a security guard at her nightclub. She said his attitude would change during special events held in the black community, and she once reprimanded him for using pepper spray on a customer.
- In 2006, Chauvin was recommended for the Medal of Courage for his role in the police shooting that killed Wayne Reyes.
- In 2008, he was awarded the Medal of Commendation for disarming a man during a nightclub security shift.
- He was also praised by two women in 2008 and 2013 for his handling of domestic violence calls.
- George Floyd’s death has led to him being called the most hated man in the world.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education