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Was Kellie Chauvin at Derek Chauvin sentencing? Suspected sighting sparks speculation

Derek Chauvin was awarded 22.5 years in jail and among his supporters in court were his mother Carolyn Pawlenty and ex-wife Kellie Chauvin

Derek Chauvin was given 22.5 years of jail time for killing George Floyd. Floyd died on May 25, 2020, when the former Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. He was sentenced after being found guilty of numerous charges, including second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter for the death of the African-American man in April this year. Ahead of Chauvin's sentencing, the public was curious if his ex-wife Kellie Chauvin would attend the hearing to support him in court.

During the April trial of Chauvin, almost nobody from his family was there to support him in the court. However, on June 25, the day when he was sentenced, five members were present for him, which included his mother, Carolyn Pawlenty -- a man with Pawlenty; Kellie Chauvin, his ex-wife and her two adult children. His mother even read out a statement before Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill announced the verdict. But reportedly, they all left soon after Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill announced the verdict.

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Before the sentencing, Pawlenty defended her son and said, “You sentence my son, you will also be sentencing me.” She also added, “I will always believe in your innocence.” However, she did not address Floyd's family, which was highly criticized on social media with some branding her as “Karen”. Chauvin was also given a chance to speak before Judge Cahill sentenced him. He said, “I'm not able to give a full formal statement at this time...I do want to give my condolences to the Floyd family. There's going to be some other information in the future that would be of interest, and I hope things will give you some peace of mind. Thank you.”

Meanwhile, while sentencing Chauvin, Judge Cahill said: “This is based on your abuse of a position of trust and authority and also the particular cruelty shown to George Floyd. What the sentence is not based on is emotion or sympathy, but at the same time I want to acknowledge the deep and tremendous pain that all the families are feeling, especially the Floyd family. You have our sympathies.”

A Star Tribune reporter, Chao Xiong described the court scene in his tweets, “Before Cahill handed down this sentence Philonise Floyd pressed his hands together in a prayer position and placed them against his lips/face, head lowered  #GeorgeFloyd #ChauvinTrial #ChauvinSentencing.”

Xiong continued, “Philonise balled up his hands & rested his forehead on them and then returned to the prayer position. No one from either family displayed visible reaction to the sentence. Chauvin's body was turned to Judge, head cocked. I only saw the back of his head.#GeorgeFloyd #ChauvinTrial,” before adding: “Chauvin was quickly led back to a secure room. He didn't show emotion or reaction as he was led away. His family quickly left as Floyd's family & prosecutors shook hands, patted ea other on back and chatted in courtroom. #GeorgeFloyd #ChauvinTrial #ChauvinSentencing.”