# Minnesota trial of Derek Chauvin (killer of George Floyd) reactions **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 30, 2021, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024 "2021-03-30T13:14:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 50
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/983 "2021-06-26T05:45:03Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > 22 years is a long time. I know he won’t serve all of it, but he’ll be in prison around 15 years and conditional release after that. He’ll never be a cop again, so that’s good too. Let’s also remember Chauvin is 45 years old. If he serves twenty-two years, he’s going to be leaving prison to move into a senior home. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/984 "2021-06-26T07:01:08Z")
Do you think that he has a good chance of surviving for 15 years inside? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/985 "2021-06-26T08:58:08Z")
Yes, I do. As mentioned above, the prison’s job is to ensure his safety so he will serve his time. There are various options, a few alread stated, available to prison staff to make this happen. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/986 "2021-06-26T13:41:04Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Do you think that he has a good chance of surviving for 15 years inside? Yes: simply because he is such a high profile prisoner and his death would cause the prison a lot of embarrassment. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/987 "2021-06-26T14:14:18Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > One article I read said perhaps 15 years, with good behaviour. Assuming he were to even live that long, which I doubt. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/988 "2021-06-26T15:07:46Z")
I realized when I heard the sentencing that I had subconsciously set the bar so low that I was shocked he got as long a sentence as he did. It’s a solid result, and had the judge gone for the maximum it would have aided efforts to appeal it. As it is, he’ll likely be in prison for the rest of his effective life even if the feds don’t add more to it. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/989 "2021-06-26T15:18:00Z")
He also faces some significant tax evasion charges from the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Basically, he hid half a million dollars in income from the State by claiming he lived in Florida (he does own a house in Florida, but since his job is in Minnesota and he lives here more than half time, Minnesota gets their cut). Given that he is now a convicted felon, its somewhat less likely that he will get off with a mere fine. Plus, its hard to pay back taxes with penalties and interest from the joint. Minnesota was looking into the tax thing before he killed Floyd. The IRS are apparently pushovers compared to the Minnesota Department of Revenue. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/990 "2021-06-26T16:20:52Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > As mentioned above, the prison’s job is to ensure his safety so he will serve his time. There are various options, a few alread stated, available to prison staff to make this happen. And its the police department’s job to protect the lives of the citizenry, and yet here we are. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/991 "2021-06-26T16:29:10Z")
Even if we assume that the prison keeps him safe from assault, life in a prison is not particularly healthful. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/992 "2021-06-26T16:34:14Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > He also faces some significant tax evasion charges from the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Basically, he hid half a million dollars in income from the State by claiming he lived in Florida (he does own a house in Florida, but since his job is in Minnesota and he lives here more than half time, Minnesota gets their cut). He also had a second job and was allegedly not reporting the income from it. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/993 "2021-06-26T17:16:13Z")
Yep - he was working security side jobs. The IRS will be interested in that one. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/994 "2021-06-26T17:22:41Z")
Thanks for checking in. Is there a chance he can fit in with the Aryan Nation types or does him having been a cop make that unlikely? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/995 "2021-06-26T17:38:20Z")
Prison gang membership is a lot more fluid than the media portrays it. Most gangs have a small core group and a bunch of what I would describe as associates. These are people who hang around with the gang and are tolerated by them but aren’t really members. These associates are basically judged on the costs and benefits they provide. Maybe you’re allowed to hang out as sort of an auxiliary fighter; you bulk up the group’s numbers and make them appear stronger. If you’re a vulnerable prisoner you might be allowed to hang around with a gang because you pay your way. You might work for them or buy them things. In exchange, the gang will discourage other gangs from picking on you. But the gang isn’t going to have any deep loyalty to you. (Realistically, most gangs don’t have all that deep a loyalty even to their full members.) If you become more trouble than you’re worth, they’ll cut off ties with you. This is the situation I would imagine Chauvin would be in if he stays in general population. White gangs are going to decide that he’s not worth the trouble of defending. It won’t be because he’s a cop; it’ll be because he has nothing to offer a gang that makes him valuable to the gang. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/996 "2021-06-26T20:24:17Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > Is there a chance he can fit in with the Aryan Nation types… I’d think that would hurt his chances of an early parole, especially considering the nature of his crime. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/997 "2021-06-26T20:40:32Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > This is the situation I would imagine Chauvin would be in if he stays in general population. White gangs are going to decide that he’s not worth the trouble of defending. It won’t be because he’s a cop; it’ll be because he has nothing to offer a gang that makes him valuable to the gang. Thanks for all the info. Interesting times ahead for Chauvin. Maybe lonely too, if he’s segregated. Could be worse. > [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > I’d think that would hurt his chances of an early parole, especially considering the nature of his crime. If he’s in the general population, this may seem like a good trade off for him. However, as **Little\_Nemo** pointed out, he probably doesn’t have anything to offer them. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/998 "2021-06-26T20:55:48Z")
I know less than zero about any of this prison (and inside/outside) culture, but … a sincere question: Could Chauvin still have ties to (less-than-honorable) LEOs on the outside who could be persuaded – by Chauvin – to be … er … ‘less hostile to’ the (outside) business interests of some of those whose protection he seeks on the inside ? Or is this more of a fictionalized sort of thing ? ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/999 "2021-06-26T21:04:58Z")
I’d like to make a brief hijack to complain about the number of references to a 22.5 year sentence with an expected actual term of 15 years being the rest of “his effective life” for a 45 year old man. He will be released at the age of sixty. You people know that there are dozens; nay, hundreds of people in their sixties living full, rich lives, right? I cringe every time I see it mentioned that he’ll be moving from prison to a rest home. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/1000 "2021-06-26T21:16:18Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > You people know that there are dozens; nay, hundreds of people in their sixties living full, rich lives, right? I’m 63, and I’d agree with kinda full and sorta rich. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/1001 "2021-06-26T21:28:13Z")
He’s spending his time, as of now, at [Oak Park Heights](https://mn.gov/doc/facilities/oak-park-heights/), our only maximum security prison. He has been in solitary since the verdict. General supposition is he will be moved to another state, like Mohamed Noor (another convicted Minneapolis cop). Plus he is pending not only the tax evasion charges but the federal criminal charges. I don’t think he’ll see the light of day again. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024/1002 "2021-06-26T23:31:17Z")
I’ve been thinking about his weird statement to the Chauvin family. I wonder if he was trying to obliquely say he’s planning to kill himself? Maybe he thinks that will make them happy? Dammit, I want an explanation! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024.md?page=49) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-reactions/939024.md?page=51)