Table of Contents
Background of Derek Chauvin
- Birth and Family:
- Derek Chauvin was born on March 19, 1976 (age 47 years), in Oakdale, Minnesota.
- Derek Chauvin had spouse Kellie Chauvin (m 2010 — 2021).
- His mother was a housewife, and his father worked as a certified public accountant.
- Chauvin’s early years were spent in West Saint Paul, where he experienced his parents’ divorce at the age of seven, leading to joint custody arrangements.
- Education:
- Chauvin attended Park High School in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, but did not complete his education there.
- He later obtained a GED certificate in 1994.
- He pursued a certificate in quantity food preparation at Dakota County Technical College.
- Early Jobs:
- Chauvin worked as a prep cook at a McDonald’s in Cottage Grove.
- He also held a position at Tincunni’s buffet restaurant in neighboring Newport.
- Military Service:
- Derek Chauvin served in the United States Army Reserve from 1996 to 2004.
- His military police service included two stints, first in Rochester, Minnesota, and later in Hohenfels, Bavaria, Germany.
- Educational Pursuits:
- During his military service, Chauvin attended Inver Hills Community College from 1995 to 1999.
- He later transferred to Metropolitan State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement in 2006.
Overview of Derek Chauvin’s background, including his family, education, early jobs, military service, and pursuit of higher education in law enforcement.
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History of Derek Chauvin
- Application and Joining MPD:
- Derek Chauvin applied to the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) in September 2000.
- He officially joined the MPD in 2001.
- Police Shootings and Valor Recognition:
- While serving on the force, Chauvin was involved in three police shootings, one of which was fatal.
- In 2006, he received a medal for valor for being part of a group of officers who fired 23 shots at Wayne Reyes, who pointed a shotgun at them.
- Another medal for valor was awarded in 2008 for a domestic violence incident where Chauvin broke down a door and shot Ira Latrell Toles, who allegedly reached for his pistol.
- Commendation Medals:
- In 2008, Chauvin received a commendation medal for tackling a fleeing suspect holding a pistol along with his partner.
- In 2009, he received another commendation medal for working off duty as a security guard for a nightclub.
Derek Chauvin’s history with the Minneapolis Police Department, including his application, involvement in police shootings, valor recognition, and commendation medals for various incidents during his time on the force.
Several Incidents Involving Derek Chauvin
- Complaints and Discipline:
- Derek Chauvin had a total of 18 complaints on his official record.
- Two of these complaints resulted in discipline, specifically letters of reprimand.
- Wayne Reyes Shooting (October 29, 2006):
- Chauvin was one of six officers involved in the shooting of Wayne Reyes.
- Reyes reportedly stabbed his girlfriend and a friend before fleeing in his truck.
- The officers fired 43 rounds in four seconds.
- A grand jury in 2007 decided not to charge any officers, determining that the use of force was justified.
- Ira Latrell Toles Incident (May 24, 2008):
- Chauvin responded to a domestic violence call involving Ira Latrell Toles.
- Chauvin broke down the bathroom door and allegedly beat Toles with his pistol before shooting him twice at close range.
- Toles was unarmed, and Chauvin’s actions led to serious injuries.
- Leroy Martinez Shooting (August 8, 2011):
- Chauvin was involved in the shooting of Leroy Martinez, a 23-year-old Alaskan Native American man.
- Eyewitness accounts contradicted the police’s claim that Martinez was armed when shot.
- The officers returned to work after a standard three-day administrative leave, and the incident was deemed appropriate by the police chief.
- Incident Involving 14-Year-Old (September 4, 2017):
- Chauvin was among officers responding to a complaint by the mother of two young children.
- Videos from the scene showed Chauvin hitting a 14-year-old black boy in the head with a flashlight and holding him down with his knee for nearly 17 minutes.
- The judge prohibited prosecutors from raising this matter in the Floyd trial.
- El Nuevo Rodeo Nightclub and Aggressive Tactics:
- Chauvin had worked off-duty as security at El Nuevo Rodeo, a Latin nightclub, where George Floyd also worked as security.
- The former owner criticized Chauvin’s tactics as “overkill,” particularly when the club had a black clientele.
- Settlements and Lawsuits (2023):
- The City of Minneapolis agreed to pay almost $9 million to settle lawsuits brought against Chauvin by Zoya Code and John Pope Jr.
- Both claimed that Chauvin used the same knee-to-neck tactic that killed Floyd in 2020 during incidents in 2017.
- Zoya Code and John Pope Jr. were expected to receive $1.4 and $7.5 million, respectively.
Several incidents involving Derek Chauvin, including shootings, use of force, and lawsuits that occurred over the years leading up to the George Floyd trial.
Murder of George Floyd
- Arrest of George Floyd:
- On May 25, 2020, Derek Chauvin was one of four officers involved in the arrest of George Floyd.
- Floyd was suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill at a market.
- Chauvin’s Role:
- Chauvin served as the field training officer for one of the other officers involved in the arrest.
- Arrest Circumstances:
- Security camera footage did not show Floyd resisting arrest.
- Floyd’s alleged resistance was based on body camera footage, where he reportedly said he could not breathe, resisted getting into the police car, and fell to the ground.
- Use of Force:
- While Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down on the street, Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes.
- Floyd repeatedly stated, “I can’t breathe,” “Mama,” and “please” after Chauvin placed his knee on his neck.
- Two other officers knelt on Floyd’s back for part of the time.
- Outcome:
- During the final two minutes, Floyd was motionless and had no pulse.
- Several bystanders captured videos of the incident, which were widely circulated and broadcast.
- Immediate Consequences:
- Chauvin and the other officers involved were fired the day following the incident.
- Technique Criticism:
- While knee-to-neck restraints were allowed in Minnesota under certain circumstances, Chauvin’s use of the technique was widely criticized by law enforcement experts as excessive.
- Public Reaction:
- The incident, along with broader issues of racial injustice, triggered public outrage.
- Mass protests erupted in Minneapolis, the United States, and globally in response to the incident and concerns about systemic racism.
Overview of the events surrounding George Floyd’s arrest, Derek Chauvin’s actions, and the immediate consequences and broader impact of the incident.
Plea Deal
- May 28, 2020 – Press Conference:
- On May 28, 2020, state and federal prosecutors held a press conference at an FBI office in Brooklyn Center, a Minneapolis suburb, regarding the case against the officers involved in George Floyd’s murder.
- Officials stated that more time was needed to review the case, deferring any major announcements.
- Plea Deal Discussions (June 9, 2020):
- On June 9, it was revealed that state and federal prosecutors had engaged in discussions with Derek Chauvin and his attorney regarding a potential plea deal.
- The proposed deal would have included state murder charges and federal civil rights charges against Chauvin.
- Plea Deal Terms and Breakdown:
- As part of the failed deal, Chauvin was expected to plead guilty to third-degree murder.
- The agreement included a ten-year prison sentence.
- Chauvin would have gone to federal prison, making the federal government a party to the deal.
- Barr’s Rejection and Investigation:
- United States Attorney General William Barr rejected the proposed plea deal.
- Barr expressed concerns that the public, particularly protesters, might view the agreement as too lenient.
- Instead of the plea deal, Barr opted for a full investigation into the case.
Events surrounding the press conference, the discussions of a plea deal, the terms of the proposed deal, and the subsequent breakdown leading to a comprehensive investigation into the case against Derek Chauvin.
Arrest and charges
- Arrest and Initial Charges (May 29, 2020):
- Derek Chauvin was arrested on May 29, 2020.
- Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman charged him with third-degree murder and the lesser included offense of second-degree manslaughter.
- Charges and Legal Definitions:
- Third-degree murder in Minnesota law is defined as causing another’s death without intent to kill but with a “depraved mind, without regard for human life.”
- Second-degree manslaughter also lacks lethal intent but involves creating “an unreasonable risk” of serious harm or death.
- Historic Charge as a White Officer (May 29, 2020):
- Chauvin became the first white police officer in Minnesota to be charged in the death of a black civilian.
- Case Transfer and Amended Charges (May 31 to June 3, 2020):
- On May 31, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison took over the case at the request of Governor Tim Walz.
- On June 3, Ellison amended the charges against Chauvin to include unintentional second-degree murder under the felony murder doctrine.
- This alleged that Chauvin killed Floyd in the course of committing assault in the third degree.
- Charges Against Other Officers (June 3, 2020):
- In addition to Chauvin, the three other officers were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.
- Bail for Chauvin was set at $1.25 million, and for the other officers, it was set at $1 million.
- Police Chief’s Statement (June 23, 2020):
- On June 23, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo stated that Chauvin had been trained in the dangers of positional asphyxiation.
- He characterized George Floyd’s death as murder.
A timeline of events related to Derek Chauvin’s arrest, the initial and amended charges, the involvement of other officers, and the statements made by Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo.
Pre-trial
- Release on Conditional Bail (October 7, 2020):
- Derek Chauvin was released on conditional bail on October 7, 2020.
- He posted a bond of $1 million to secure his release.
- Dismissal and Denial of Motion (October 22, 2020):
- On October 22, 2020, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill dismissed the third-degree murder charge against Chauvin.
- However, the judge denied Chauvin’s motion to dismiss the other, more serious murder charges.
- Joint Trial Decision (November 5, 2020):
- On November 5, 2020, Judge Cahill ruled that Chauvin and the three other officers charged would be tried together in Hennepin County.
- Reversal and Separate Trials (January 13, 2021):
- On January 13, 2021, Judge Cahill reversed his earlier ruling and decided that Chauvin would be tried separately from the other three officers.
- Reinstatement of Third-Degree Murder Charge (March 11, 2021):
- On March 11, 2021, Judge Cahill reinstated the third-degree murder charge against Chauvin.
The legal developments in Derek Chauvin’s case, including his release on bail, the dismissal and reinstatement of charges, decisions on joint and separate trials, and the specific reinstatement of the third-degree murder charge.
Trial
- Trial Commencement (March 8, 2021):
- Derek Chauvin’s trial began on March 8, 2021, at the Hennepin County Government Center.
- Notably, it was the first time in Minnesota that a judge authorized cameras to show a full criminal trial.
- Verdict (April 20, 2021):
- On April 20, 2021, the jury, comprising six white individuals and six people of color, found Chauvin guilty on three counts:
- Unintentional second-degree murder.
- Third-degree murder.
- Second-degree manslaughter.
- On April 20, 2021, the jury, comprising six white individuals and six people of color, found Chauvin guilty on three counts:
- Historical Conviction and Sentencing:
- Chauvin’s guilty verdict marked the first time a white Minnesotan police officer was convicted of murdering a Black person.
- It was only the second instance of an officer being convicted of murder in Minnesota, the first being the case of Somali-American officer Mohamed Noor in the killing of Justine Damond, a white woman.
- Revocation of Bail and Custody (April 20, 2021):
- Following Chauvin’s conviction, Judge Cahill revoked his bail.
- Chauvin was taken back into police custody.
The significant events during Derek Chauvin’s trial, including the historic verdict, the charges he was found guilty of, and the subsequent revocation of bail leading to his return to police custody.
Appeal
- Appeal and Request for Public Defender (Post-Verdict):
- Derek Chauvin appealed his second-degree murder conviction.
- He initially requested a public defender for his appeal but was denied by the Minnesota Supreme Court based on his financial state.
- Chauvin then hired attorney William Mohrman to represent him.
- Appeal to Minnesota Court of Appeals (April 2022):
- In April 2022, Chauvin appealed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
- He sought to reverse his conviction and order a new trial in a different venue.
- Chauvin claimed that the jury had been “intimidated by excessive pre-trial publicity.”
- Grounds for Reversal (April 2022):
- Chauvin’s lawyer argued that the $27 million settlement between the city of Minneapolis and the Floyd family during jury selection amounted to prejudice.
- Appeal Decision by Court of Appeals (April 2023):
- In April 2023, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals issued a 50-page decision affirming Chauvin’s conviction.
- Minnesota Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court Denials (July and November 2023):
- Chauvin requested the Minnesota Supreme Court to review the case but was denied in July 2023.
- His lawyer then asked the Supreme Court of the United States to review the case.
- U.S. Supreme Court Decline (November 20, 2023):
- On November 20, 2023, the Supreme Court declined to hear Chauvin’s case.
- This decision left in place the state court rulings that affirmed his conviction and the 22 and a half years prison sentence.
- Chauvin’s Statement (November 16, 2023):
- In a prison interview for a documentary by Alpha News, a right-wing media organization, released on November 16, 2023, Chauvin expressed dissatisfaction with the trial and sentencing, stating, “At the end of the day, the whole trial including sentencing was a sham.”
Details of the legal proceedings post-conviction, including Chauvin’s appeals, the court decisions, and the denial of his case by both the Minnesota Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Sentence
- Post-Conviction Detention (April 20, 2021):
- Following his conviction, Derek Chauvin’s bail was revoked, and he was remanded into custody by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
- Transfer to Minnesota Department of Corrections (April 20, 2021):
- The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office transferred Chauvin into the custody of the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
- He was booked into the Oak Park Heights prison, where he had been incarcerated after his 2020 arrest.
- Solitary Confinement at Oak Park Heights (April 20 to June 25, 2021):
- Chauvin was held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day in an isolated wing of Oak Park Heights prison.
- Continuous monitoring was implemented due to concerns for his safety.
- Prosecution’s Request for Greater Sentence (May 12, 2021):
- On May 12, 2021, Judge Peter Cahill allowed the prosecution to seek a greater prison sentence, citing Chauvin’s treatment of George Floyd “with particular cruelty.”
- Sentencing and State Prison Term (June 25, 2021):
- On June 25, 2021, Chauvin was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison on the second-degree murder charge.
- Credit was given for the 199 days he had already served.
- The second-degree manslaughter and third-degree murder charges remained not adjudicated.
- Parole Eligibility and Federal Plea Agreement (Post-Sentencing):
- The earliest Chauvin could be eligible for release on parole is expected to be in 2035 or 2036, close to when he will be 60 years old.
- Under Chauvin’s federal plea agreement, he will serve his state and federal sentences concurrently.
- After release, he will be subject to five years of parole.
- Federal Prison Transfer (August 24, 2022):
- As part of his guilty plea deal in the federal civil rights case, Chauvin opted to serve his concurrent federal and state sentences in a federal prison.
- On August 24, 2022, he was transferred from the state correctional facility at Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, to FCI Tucson—a medium-security federal facility in Arizona.
Details about Chauvin’s detention, sentencing, parole eligibility, federal plea agreement, and subsequent transfer to a federal prison in Arizona.
Civil rights violations case
- DOJ Grand Jury Investigation (February 2021):
- In February 2021, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) convened a grand jury to investigate whether Derek Chauvin violated George Floyd’s civil rights.
- The investigation also included an incident in September 2017 when Chauvin restrained a 14-year-old boy, using his knee and hitting him with a flashlight.
- Details of the 2017 Incident:
- In the 2017 incident, Chauvin restrained the 14-year-old boy for several minutes, using his knee to lean into the boy’s back and hitting him with a flashlight.
- The boy pleaded that he could not breathe, and he briefly lost consciousness during the restraint.
- Inadmissibility in Murder Trial (2017 Incident):
- The 2017 incident was deemed inadmissible as evidence in Chauvin’s murder trial for George Floyd’s death.
- Ongoing Investigation Post-Murder Conviction:
- Following Chauvin’s murder conviction, the DOJ continued its investigation, considering whether to bring criminal charges against Chauvin for the 2017 incident.
- Federal Charges and Indictment (May 7, 2021):
- On May 7, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice officially indicted Chauvin and his three co-officers for constitutional civil rights violations related to George Floyd’s murder (18 U.S.C. § 242).
- The indictment included both the 2017 and 2020 incidents.
- Impact on State Court Trial (May 7, 2021):
- The federal indictments caused the state court trial for the three other officers to be pushed back to start on March 7, 2022, from the original date of August 23, 2021.
- Additional Civil Rights Violation Charges (May 7, 2021):
- On May 7, 2021, Chauvin was indicted by the same grand jury for violating the civil rights of the 14-year-old boy in the 2017 incident.
- Plea of Not Guilty (September 16, 2021):
- On September 16, 2021, Chauvin pleaded not guilty to the charges related to the 2017 incident indictment.
The developments in the Department of Justice’s grand jury investigation, federal charges, and indictments against Derek Chauvin, including the inclusion of both the George Floyd incident and the 2017 incident in the charges.
Guilty plea
- Plea Revision and Guilty Plea (December 15, 2021):
- Three months after initially pleading not guilty to federal charges, Derek Chauvin requested a hearing to offer a revised plea.
- On December 15, 2021, Chauvin pleaded guilty to federal charges, admitting to violating the rights of George Floyd and the 14-year-old boy in the 2017 incident.
- Admissions and Constitutional Violations (December 15, 2021):
- Chauvin admitted to willfully violating Floyd’s constitutional right to be free from unreasonable seizure and the use of unreasonable force.
- He acknowledged violating Floyd’s right not to be deprived of liberty without due process of law and showed deliberate indifference to Floyd’s serious medical needs.
- Chauvin’s knee remained on Floyd’s neck even after Floyd became unresponsive.
- In the 2017 incident, Chauvin admitted violating the 14-year-old’s constitutional right to be free from unreasonable force.
- Plea Deal and Sentencing (May 4, 2022):
- A plea deal was reached, where federal prosecutors would request a 300-month (25-year) sentence to be served concurrently with the Minnesota state sentence, instead of the maximum life in prison.
- On May 4, 2022, the judge accepted the plea deal, paving the way for a sentence between 20 and 25 years in prison, to be served concurrently with the state sentence.
- Sentencing (July 7, 2022):
- On July 7, 2022, Chauvin was sentenced to 21 years in prison on the federal charges of violating the civil rights of George Floyd and the 14-year-old boy.
- Chauvin’s Claims and Motion to Vacate (Post-Sentencing):
- In the aftermath of the cases against him, Chauvin claimed that additional evidence not presented at the criminal trial, suggesting a tumor contributing to Floyd’s death, would have affected his decision to plead guilty to federal charges.
- Chauvin filed a motion in federal court in mid-November 2023, attempting to vacate the civil rights conviction.
The developments in Derek Chauvin’s guilty plea to federal charges, the plea deal, sentencing, and subsequent claims and legal motions.
Tax-evasion case
- Tax Evasion Charges (July 22, 2020):
- On July 22, 2020, after being charged with murder in the George Floyd case, Derek Chauvin and his wife, Kellie, were separately charged in Washington County, Minnesota, with nine counts of felony tax evasion.
- Allegations and Prosecution (July 2020):
- The charges were related to allegedly fraudulent state income tax returns from 2014 to 2019.
- Prosecutors claimed that the couple had under-reported their joint income by $464,433, including over $95,000 from Chauvin’s security work.
- Additional allegations included failure to pay proper sales tax on a $100,000 BMW purchased in 2018, failure to declare income from Kellie Chauvin’s business, and improper deductions for a rental home.
- Court Proceedings (September 8, 2021):
- Chauvin first appeared in Washington County District Court for his tax evasion case (number 82-CR-20-2813) on September 8, 2021.
- The pre-trial hearing was scheduled for January 21, 2022.
- Guilty Plea and Sentencing (March 17, 2023):
- Chauvin pleaded guilty to the tax evasion charges on March 17, 2023.
- He was sentenced to 13 months in prison, to run concurrently with his murder sentence, with credit given for time already served.
An overview of the tax evasion charges, allegations, court proceedings, and the guilty plea and sentencing in the case against Derek Chauvin and his wife, Kellie.
Ramsey County jail discrimination complaint
Chauvin’s Arrest and Processing (May 29):- Following his arrest on May 29, Derek Chauvin was booked and processed at Ramsey County’s Adult Detention Center in Saint Paul.
- Discrimination Complaint by Correctional Officers (June 2020):
- In June 2020, eight correctional officers at the jail filed a discrimination complaint against their supervisors with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
- Allegations included that non-white guards were not allowed to work on the fifth floor where Chauvin was held during his brief stay before transfer to a state prison.
- Specific Allegations in the Discrimination Complaint:
- The complaint alleged that a white lieutenant sat on Chauvin’s bed and allowed him to use her cellphone.
- Non-white guards claimed they were reassigned because of Chauvin’s arrival, and a white officer replaced a non-white officer patting down Chauvin.
- Investigation by Minnesota Department of Human Rights (June 2020):
- Responding to the complaint, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights opened an investigation to determine whether discrimination occurred.
- Legal Action and Discrimination Charges (February 2021):
- In February 2021, the correctional officers pursued legal action and filed discrimination charges with the state Department of Human Rights.
- The lawsuit aimed to hold Superintendent Steve Lydon and Ramsey County responsible for the alleged discrimination.
- Details from the Discrimination Lawsuit (February 2021):
- Officers claimed they were informed of reassignments due to Chauvin’s arrival.
- One officer mentioned being replaced by a white officer while patting down Chauvin.
- Security camera footage allegedly showed a white female lieutenant having special access to Chauvin.
- Statement by Superintendent Steve Lydon (February 2021):
- Lydon stated that he was trying to “protect and support” minority employees by shielding them from Chauvin.
The events related to the discrimination complaint filed by correctional officers in the aftermath of Derek Chauvin’s arrest, including the specific allegations, investigations, and legal actions taken.
Prison attack
- Stabbing Incident at FCI Tucson (November 24, 2023):
- While serving concurrent state and federal sentences at FCI Tucson, Derek Chauvin was stabbed 22 times with an improvised knife by another inmate.
- The incident occurred in the facility’s law library at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time on November 24, 2023.
- Response and Life-Saving Measures:
- Prison employees performed “life-saving” measures on Chauvin, who suffered serious bodily injury.
- He was taken to a hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
- Prior Concerns for Chauvin’s Safety:
- Before the assault, Chauvin’s lawyer had advocated for keeping him away from other inmates for his protection.
- Comparison to Larry Nassar Assault and Inmate Safety Scrutiny:
- The stabbing attack on Chauvin was compared to the July 2023 prison assault on Larry Nassar, raising concerns about inmate safety in the federal prison system.
- Denouncement by Attorney General Keith Ellison:
- Keith Ellison, the Attorney General of Minnesota, denounced the attack, emphasizing that Chauvin, like any incarcerated individual, should serve his sentence without fear of retaliation or violence.
- Charges Against the Inmate (Attempted Murder, Assault, and Intent):
- Federal prosecutors charged a 52-year-old inmate with attempted murder, assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
- Suspect’s Motivation and Background:
- According to charging documents, the suspect attacked Chauvin because he was a high-profile inmate and symbolically connected the attack to the Black Lives Matter movement, with the assault occurring on Black Friday.
- The suspect, a former FBI informant and gang member, had been featured in a book about organized crime leader Rene Enriquez.
The details surrounding the stabbing incident involving Derek Chauvin at FCI Tucson, the response, concerns for Chauvin’s safety, comparisons to other incidents, and the charges against the inmate responsible.
Personal life of Derek Chauvin
- Ex-Wife’s Background:
- Derek Chauvin’s ex-wife is a real-estate agent and photographer.
- She is a Hmong refugee from Laos and won the “Mrs. Minnesota” beauty pageant in 2018.
- Divorce and Timing:
- Chauvin’s ex-wife filed for divorce the day before he was arrested for George Floyd’s murder.
- The divorce proceedings were finalized in February 2021.
- Previous Marriage and Children:
- She has two children from a previous marriage.
- Legal Troubles:
- In May 2023, Chauvin’s ex-wife was sentenced to twenty days in prison on tax-evasion charges.
- Chauvin’s Residency and Second Home:
- Derek Chauvin was registered to vote in Florida.
- He and his ex-wife had a second home in Windermere, Florida.
The information about Derek Chauvin’s ex-wife, their divorce, her background, legal issues she faced, and details about Chauvin’s residency and second home.