Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts late yesterday in a jury verdict that could mean the ex-Minneapolis police officer will serve numerous years in prison for the murder of George Floyd.

Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The most serious charge — second-degree unintentional murder — could result in a 40-year sentence. The two other counts carry 25- and 10-year sentences, respectively.

The actual sentence that Chauvin receives depends on whether Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill will agree with prosecutors two months from now and impose a longer prison term than stated in Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines for first-time offenders.

The judge said yesterday Chauvin will be sentenced in about eight weeks, with the specific date yet to be determined.

Cahill would have to agree with prosecutors that there are aggravating factors in the case.

Under the state’s guidelines, those with no criminal records would receive a presumptive sentence of 12-1/2  years for the murder charges, and four years for manslaughter. The state law says even though Chauvin was convicted of three counts, he would have to serve only the one tied to the top charge.

Prosecutors are seeking what is called an “upward sentencing departure,” which means they want the judge to weigh other factors in the case, including the fact that the killing occurred in front of a child and their claim that Chauvin “abused his position of authority.”

Now that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, many are now turning their attention to the three other officers who are charged with aiding and abetting in Floyd’s death.

Chauvin and the other three former officers – Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane – were fired the day after Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020.

Floyd died after being arrested on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill for a pack of cigarettes at a corner market in Minneapolis. He panicked, pleaded that he was claustrophobic and struggled with police when they tried to put him in a squad car. They put him on the ground instead.

Thao, Kueng and Lane responded to a call about a “forgery in process” but did not directly cut off Floyd’s breathing.

The three officers were later charged with aiding and abetting unintentional second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter – charges that carry up to 40 years in prison.

They will stand trial in court together beginning August 23, 2021 in Hennepin County. The men remain free on $750,000 bail.

The centerpiece of the case in Chauvin’s trial was a bystander video of Floyd gasping repeatedly, “I can’t breathe” and onlookers yelling at Chauvin to stop as the officer pressed his knee on or close to Floyd’s neck for what authorities say was 9 1/2 minutes.

In the months that followed, numerous states and cities restricted the use of force by police, revamped disciplinary systems or subjected police departments to closer oversight.