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Derek Chauvin's father Robert Michael Chauvin skips son's sentencing

Even though Derek Chauvin's mother Carolyn Pawlenty attended and so did his ex-wife Kellie May Xiong, his father Robert Michael Chauvin was not present at his sentencing

On June 25, 2021, Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who killed George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds on a Minneapolis street in May 2020, received a sentence of 22.5 years in prison, with the possibility of supervised release after serving two-thirds of his sentence or 15 years for second-degree murder. It was a bittersweet verdict that started a debate on accountability and justice. But all in all, people had reason to celebrate that a cop was convicted for killing a Black man. Chauvin's mother Carolyn Pawlenty took a stand for her son saying that he has a big heart. She spoke at length in favor of her son, pleading with Judge Peter Cahill for leniency. But Chauvin's father was missing from the sentencing. 

Even though Carolyn was present, Robert Michael Chauvin, Chauvin's father, did not attend his sentencing. Chauvin's mother, his now ex-wife Kellie May Xiong Chauvin, who had reportedly filed for divorce the day before he was arrested for Floyd's murder, was also present. Kellie came with her two adult children. There was a man who accompanied Carolyn Pawlenty, but he wasn't Derek Chauvin's father.

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Some people were surprised to make this discovery. "Why did Derek chauvin’s father divorce his wonderful mother? Research the creator of wonderful Derek?" one said, taking a jab at Pawlenty's words. 

MEAWW previously reported on Chauvin's parents' divorce. At the age of seven, his parents separated and his mother filed for divorce. She asked for the family home and child support for Derek and his baby sister. His father then reportedly asked for a paternity test only to find out that he was not the biological father of Derek's sister. Following the divorce, his father got the family home and shared custody of Derek.

During the sentencing, Pawlenty said Chauvin was "selfless" and how his identity had been reduced to that of a racist man. "My son's identity has also been reduced to that of a racist," she said, adding, "I want this court to know that none of these things are true and that my son is a good man." She said that the public "will never know the loving and caring man he is" and that she has always supported her son "100%". Addressing her son, she said during the sentencing hearing, "I have always believed in your innocence, and I'll never waver from that." She told the judge,  "When you sentence him, you will also be sentencing me. I won't be able to see him or give him our special hug. When he is released, his father and I most likely won't be here." She concluded, “One final thought. I want you to remember, remember you are my favourite son.”

On social media, some took a dig at Chauvin's upbringing. "Derek Chauvin’s mother at his sentencing: “I will not able to see my son, talk to him on the phone, or give him our special hug.” Me: bish don't nobody give a fcuk. You shoulda raised him better. I mean damn, did he not have a father in his life???? (wink)"

But all in all, it was his mother who was at the receiving end of most of the online criticism. "Am I the only one that couldn't care less @ what Derek Chauvin's mother had to say about her "fav son"?? I may be horrible, but I don't care if her son goes to prison and doesn't get out until after she's gone. George Floyd's children don't get their father... So screw you lady" one tweeted. Another added, "Derek Chauvin's mother playing the "I'm losing my child, oh woe is me" is so disgusting. Your son stole the life of someone's father, someone's brother, someone's son, where's your sympathy for them?"