22 1/2 Years

Derek Chauvin was sentenced today to 22 1/2 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd. I’m not sure whether to count that as a win or a loss.
On the one hand, I think he should have been sentenced to life in prison, with no chance of parole, and I think that should be standard for any police officer who takes advantage of their position to kill somebody. Although I’m against capital punishment, because I don’t think the state should ever have the authority to kill anybody, that is a slippery slope with jagged rocks and broken glass at the bottom, I do believe that anybody who has murdered somebody should be removed from society permanently. I’m not talking about manslaughter, or self-defense, or even situation just got out of control, but if the killer intended to kill, I’m talking about life without parole, and I don’t know at what point our justice system started to see 30 years as the maximum sentence for a murder.
That’s what the state was asking for. His lawyers were hoping for a much lower number, and maybe even probation which, I must admit, I feared might happen.
I’ve heard some people say that the number was the least the judge felt he could get away with without causing another wave of riots. On the one hand, I’m sure the judge would deny that and there’s no way to prove it. On the other hand, the thought must have crossed his mind.
I guess I should be happy that he got 22 1/2 years. It’s a long time, and at least we have the appearance that justice has been served.
But, I’m not. He’ll be eligible for parole after about 15 years, and that is too soon.