Former Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin was recently convicted for George Floyd's death when he pressed his knee to the Black man's neck in May 2020.

On Wednesday, June 2, his defense attorney argued that Derek Chauvin should receive no prison time or less than the maximum sentence partly because the former Minneapolis cop is the product of a "broken system," USA Today reported. 

Eric Nelson, Chauvin's attorney, said the defendant is in solitary confinement at a high-security prison since it is likely he would be targeted by other prisoners.

Prosecutors argued that Chauvin's actions had cause trauma to George Floyd's family and bystanders who watched him die. They added that the former Minneapolis cop "shocked the nation's conscience."

Derek Chauvin is convicted of second- and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in George Floyd's death that enraged the public, spurring mass protests.

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Derek Chauvin's Prison Sentence

Minnesota prosecutors are seeking a 30-year sentence for the former Minneapolis cop, Voice of America News reported.

But Chauvin's defense has instead appealed for a sentence of probation and time served.

Judge Peter Cahill ruled that there were "aggravating circumstances" in George Floyd's murder, which gives him the discretion to sentence the former cop to a term longer than regular state guidelines.

Twelve and a half years is the average sentence for a first-offense case in Minnesota like Derek Chauvin.

Prosecutors said that 30 years would more properly account for the deep impact of the defendant's conduct on the victim, Floyd's family, and the community.

Derek Chauvin was also convicted for second-degree murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years. His sentencing is set to take place on June 25. Chauvin has been in jail since April 20.

George Floyd's Murder

Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd's neck for nine and a half minutes that was captured in a video by a 17-year-old bystander.

The bystander had testified in Chauvin's trial.

NBC News reported that legal experts argued that Chauvin is unlikely to get more than 30 years.

Aside from the George Floyd case, Chauvin was also charged by the Justice Department when he deprived a 14-year-old boy of his civil rights during an encounter in September 2017.

The former Minneapolis cop was accused of holding the boy by the throat and striking the boy's head multiple times with a flashlight.

The incident between Derek Chauvin and George Floyd started when a shop assistant called the police after believing that the Black man had used a counterfeit $20 to pay for a pack of cigarettes.

Officers arrived and handcuffed Floyd and tried to put him into the squad car. A struggle ensued, putting Floyd face down on the street, BBC News reported.

Expert witnesses on behalf of the state testified that Floyd died from a lack of oxygen due to the manner of restraint that was used by Chauvin and his colleagues.

Several eyewitnesses watched the incident footage and described the feeling of "helpless" as the struggle continued.

Three other former police officers, who were also involved in the incident, were J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao. They are scheduled to stand trial together beginning March 2022.

READ MORE: George Floyd's Family Agrees to 'Historic' $27 Million Settlement With Minneapolis

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