George Floyd’s brother, Philonise, said it was the first time Derek Chauvin showed “any type of remorse” when he gave his condolences to George Floyd’s family before he was sentenced to prison, the Daily Mail has reported.
“That was the first time that he ever said anything toward us,” Philonise Floyd told CNN’s Don Lemon. “It was probably something good, but I’ll never be able to get my brother back. My brother was killed”
Chauvin’s statement was short and delivered without seeming emotion — a stark difference to George Floyd’s 7-year-old daughter Gianna’s victim impact statement.
“I ask about him all the time,” Gianna Floyd said via video. “I was asking how did my dad get hurt. I want to play with him, have fun, go to the playground.”
Asked what she would tell her father if she could see him again, Gianna responded, “It would be, I miss you and I love you.”
Both statements came before Judge Peter Cahill sentenced Chauvin to 22 and a half years in prison, going 10 years beyond what was called for in sentencing guidelines, but well below the 40 years maximum possible under the law.
Three other members of Floyd’s family, including his nephew Brandon Williams and brothers Terrence Floyd and Philonise, gave poignant victim impact statements in the courtroom on Friday.
“Immediately my life changed forever,” Philonise said while wiping away tears. “I’ve been lifting my voice so that George’s life is not in vain. George’s life mattered. “I haven’t had a real night’s sleep because of the nightmares I constantly have, hearing my brother beg and plead for his life over and over again. Even saying, “They’re going to kill me, please, officer, screaming for our mom,” he added in court.
Floyd’s brother Terrence tearfully gave his statement directed at Chauvin. “I want to know why? What were you thinking? What was gong through your head when you held your knee on my brother’s neck?”
His nephew Brandon Williams said in his statement, “Chauvin killed George. Not only did he kill George but he also displayed a total lack of consideration for human life as he did so.”
