If the sentences were stacked, the maximum time Chauvin would spend behind bars is 75 years.
Minnesota law calls for less time for those without a criminal record.
The prosecution will argue for more.
“Those are the aggravating factors where a prosecutor can argue that because a child was present, because Floyd was in a vulnerable position, you know, being on the ground and because of the power dynamic between an officer and someone in a subservient role to an officer, that a judge should consider raising the sentence,” said Howard.
In the end, the judge will have the final say about how long Chauvin serves in about eight weeks.
According to Howard, the true watershed moment in the case is that officers testified against one of their own.
“I really feel like this sends a message to not only officers who were either going to do something wrong or reckless but also to other officers, if you see something speak up or if you see something wrong, you’re not going to be punished for speaking up. I think this sends a very powerful message,” said Howard.
