Today in court, the culprit’s mother, Carolyn Pawlenty, has begged the court for mercy once she heard the amount of time that he would be serving in prison.
She told the court that if they sentenced him, she too would be sentenced, and claimed that his innocence was never doubted on her end.
The mother, 73, got emotional while talking to both the public and her son who had been convicted for 22 and a half years in prison for second degree murder. She looks at Chauvin with gentleness, saying that her “happiest moment was giving birth to you”.
According to his mother, his life and her own changed forever for her family.point 170 | She tells the public that he had been serving the Minneapolis Police Department for over 19 years.point 252 |
From what has been happening, it was “difficult for me to hear and read what the media, public, and prosecution believe Derek to be an aggressively, heartless and uncaring person”.point 163 | 1
“This is far from the truth. My son’s identity has also been reduced to that of a racist. I want this court to know that none of these things are true. My son is a good man”.
Chauvin has to serve at least 15 of the 22 years that he was given in his sentence.
His mother continues to comment on Derek, saying that he had served in the police force and was a good guy, coming in even when he wasn’t on the clock.point 300 |
She says that the “public will never know the loving and caring man he is.point 66 | But his family does.point 83 | Even though I have not spoken publicly, I have always supported him 100 percent and always will.point 163 | Derek has played over and over in his head the events of that day”.point 223 | 1
“I’ve seen the toll it has taken on him. I believe a lengthy sentence will not serve Derek well. I will not be able to see Derek, talk to him on the phone or give him our special hug. When he is released, his father and I most likely will not be here”.
The mother has believed in his innocence from the get go, reading a mass amount of letters from people around the world that also believe that he is innocent. Before the speech ended, she made sure to tell him that there is “no stronger bond or love than a mother’s love. I want you to remember- remember you are my favorite son”.