The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday rejected former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin's petition to throw out his 2022 conviction for the murder of George Floyd.
The big picture: Video of Chauvin using his knee to pin down Floyd as he cried that he couldn't breathe ignited widespread protests in 2020 over racism and police brutality.
- A Hennepin County jury found Chauvin guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in April 2022. Judge Peter Cahill sentenced him to 22.5 years in prison.
Context: Chauvin filed an appeal last year, arguing that he was unable to get a fair trial due to media coverage and the threat of protests.
- The state, which handled the prosecution, countered that moving the venue wouldn't have made a difference given national coverage of Floyd's death.
Of note: Chauvin is currently serving a separate, 21-year federal sentence for violating Floyd's civil rights. He pleaded guilty in that case.
- He also pleaded guilty in March to two counts of tax evasion.
- He was sentenced to 13 months in prison for the tax charges, with credit for 13 months already served. He also agreed to pay restitution.
