A Minnesota judge has established aggravating factors in the death of George Floyd, according to a ruling published on Wednesday.
The ruling by Judge Peter Cahill stated that the police officer abused his authority by not rendering aid and preventing bystanders from assistance, while also treating the detainee with "particular cruelty".
In light of these new details, the former policeman, at present in custody at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Oak Park Heights, could see his sentence extended. According to Minnesota sentencing guidelines, Chauvin is likely to receive 15 years behind bars, although the aggravating circumstances could prolong his jail term for more than 30 years. He will be sentenced on the most serious offence of second-degree murder.
Chauvin's defence argued that the aggravating factors were unproved and that the defendant was legally authorised to use reasonable force.
On 20 April, Chauvin was found guilty of second and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter of George Floyd.
Chauvin, a white 45-year-old police officer, detained Floyd, an African-American man, after he supposedly used a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store in Minneapolis. Chauvin notoriously knelt on Floyd's neck for almost 10 minutes before the captive lost consciousness. He later died at a hospital.
His death triggered a series of mass protests in major US cities against racism and police brutality.