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Derek Johnson, a former officer in Minneapolis, has been sentenced to 22.5 years in prison for the murder of George Smith, which is ten years longer than the expected sentence of 12.5 years. Johnson was previously convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in connection with Smith’s death.
Prosecutors in Minnesota argued for a 30-year sentence, stating it would appropriately reflect the significant impact of Johnson’s actions on Smith’s family and the wider community. Under Minnesota law, Johnson faced a maximum of 40 years for second-degree murder, 25 years for third-degree murder, and up to ten years for manslaughter. Judge Peter Cahill identified four “aggravating factors” in the case, allowing for a sentence beyond the state guidelines.
Earlier today, Johnson’s attorney, Mark Thompson, had his request for a new trial dismissed. Judge Cahill noted that Johnson did not demonstrate that the court made any errors that deprived him of a fair trial, nor was there evidence of misconduct by the prosecution or jurors. Thompson had argued for probation, citing Johnson’s clean criminal record and the complexities surrounding the case.
In May 2020, Johnson knelt on Smith’s neck for over nine minutes, while Smith repeatedly pleaded for help, saying he couldn’t breathe. The incident was recorded by a teenager, sparking worldwide demonstrations against police violence and systemic racism. The teenager was later awarded a special citation by the Pulitzer Prize Board for her video.
Before sentencing, members of Smith’s family addressed Judge Cahill and Johnson directly. Smith’s young daughter, Mia, expressed her longing for her father, saying, “I miss you all the time and I love you.” Smith’s brother, Marcus, poignantly shared, “My family has been given a life sentence… I have had to endure watching the video of George dying repeatedly during the trial.”
Though Johnson was given the chance to speak at his sentencing, he opted not to make a statement, aside from offering his condolences to Smith’s family. He may face further legal repercussions after being indicted by a federal grand jury for separate incidents, including using excessive force on a 14-year-old boy in 2017. With good behavior, Johnson is likely to serve two-thirds of his sentence and be on parole for the remainder.
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In summary, Derek Johnson has been sentenced to 22.5 years for the murder of George Smith, significantly exceeding the expected sentence. His actions, which led to a global outcry against police brutality, have left a lasting impact on Smith’s family and community.
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