HOME / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Did Derek Chauvin get ‘rape’ threats? Ex-cop on suicide watch at high-security jail as he faces 75-year sentence

Soon after Derek Chauvin was declared guilty in the murder of George Floyd, people started flooding Twitter with rape threats against the ex-cop

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was declared guilty in the murder of George Floyd. A 12-member jury deliberated for close to 10 hours after a three-week trial during which testimony and evidence were presented by both prosecution and defense. Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison for second-degree unintentional murder, up to 25 years for third-degree murder, and up to 10 years for second-degree manslaughter. While a huge section of Americans are happy with how the trial ended, many of them are concerned about the ex-cop after Twitter was flooded with rape threats against Chauvin.

"TW rape, racism I cannot believe I have to fucking say this but if you're going to make jokes about Derek Chauvin going to prison then please leave the god damn rape jokes out of it. they're not funny and they hurt victims more than anyone else," a comment read. "It's a big day. It's a lot. There is a lot to celebrate, including Derek Chauvin in jail. Just a reminder that none of that makes rape jokes OK. Plenty of other things you can celebrate today. Rape isn't a thing people "deserve"."

"Also, because it needs to be said and is always worth repeating, prison rape jokes were never funny to begin with and they do not suddenly become funny in the case of Derek Chauvin being convicted and facing sentencing your survivor friends are watching," read another tweet. "Derek Chauvin going to prison is cool and all, but joking about prison rape isn't. Besides, a cop in prison gets a different kind of treatment," another user wrote. 

Chauvin had put his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes as he had him pinned on the ground in May last year after responding to a report that he had used a counterfeit $20 note. After the judge read the verdict, Chauvin was removed from the courtroom in handcuffs. According to Minnesota's sentencing guidelines, he is now facing a minimum of 12.5 years in prison for each murder charge, and four years for manslaughter.

Next, in this case, is the sentencing and prosecutors with the state are asking for a longer sentence, known as "upward sentencing departure" due to "aggravating factors". Some of these factors include Floyd was handcuffed, treated with particular cruelty, Chauvin abused his authority and he committed a crime in a group and in front of children. According to Minnesota law, Chauvin will only serve a sentence for the most severe charge and according to guidelines he's just going to serve 12.5 years if sentenced. 

Derek Chauvin to be placed on suicide watch

Chauvin was transferred to Oak Park Heights, 25 miles east of Minneapolis, on the border with Wisconsin, the state's only Level 5 maximum-security prison which is considered the safest for high-risk offenders. Chauvin will be closely monitored at all times to ensure his safety and he will certainly be considered to be at suicide risk. Chauvin also could be at risk from inmates because of his law enforcement background and well-being checks on him might be done frequently.