Prosecutors on Wednesday asked a US judge to sentence the white former police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, an unarmed Black man whose death last year sparked nationwide protests, to 30 years in prison.

Attorneys for the Minneapolis officer, Derek&nbsp;Chauvin, countered with a far different request, a sentence of time served and probation, claiming that their client was guilty of "an error made in good faith."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/chauvin-was-convicted-something-is-still-very-wrong-380118">Chauvin was convicted. Something is still very wrong</a>

In court documents sent ahead of the June 25 sentencing hearing, prosecutors in Minnesota called actions by the 45-year-old&nbsp;Chauvin&nbsp;an "egregious abuse" of his position.

"Defendant's conduct was also particularly cruel," prosecutors said.

They recalled that Judge Peter Cahill had ruled there were four aggravating factors in the case, allowing him to depart from state sentencing guidelines and clearing the path for a tough sentence.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/early-testimony-for-defence-derek-chauvins-use-of-force-on-george-floyd-was-justified-377509">Early testimony for defence: Derek Chauvin’s use of force on George Floyd was ‘justified’</a>

Chauvin&nbsp;was captured on video kneeling on the neck of the 46-year-old Floyd, suspected of using a counterfeit bill, for more than nine minutes until he passed out and died on May 25, 2020, while ignoring the victim's pleas for air and help.

The video of Floyd's death, which went viral, sparked huge protests across the United States and around the world against racism and police violence.&nbsp;

After a trial lasting several weeks,&nbsp;Chauvin&nbsp;was convicted of murder on April 20 and immediately jailed.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-ex-cop-derek-chauvin-found-guilty-of-murder-manslaughter-in-the-death-of-george-floyd-378898">US ex-cop Derek Chauvin found guilty of murder, manslaughter in the death of George Floyd</a>

The most serious charge that he was convicted of, second-degree murder, carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

As a first-time offender,&nbsp;Chauvin&nbsp;had potentially faced 12 and a half years in prison on that count under the guidelines, but the aggravating factors mean Cahill can opt for a longer jail term.

Lawyers for&nbsp;Chauvin&nbsp;said he was seeking "a probationary sentence with an incarceration period of time served."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/derek-chauvin-trial-murder-case-against-ex-cop-in-george-floyds-death-goes-to-jury-378760">Derek Chauvin trial: Murder case against ex-cop in George Floyd's death goes to jury</a>

As an alternative,&nbsp;Chauvin&nbsp;"respectfully requests that the court grant him a downward durational departure," or a sentence lower than what the guidelines suggest, his lawyer Eric Nelson wrote.

Aside from the "long-term damage a prison sentence would inflict upon Mr&nbsp;Chauvin's life prospects, given his age, convictions for officer-involved offenses significantly increase the likelihood of him becoming a target in prison," Nelson wrote.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/year-after-george-floyds-death-poll-reveals-how-americans-feel-about-race-relations-386054">Year after George Floyd's death, poll reveals how Americans feel about race relations</a>

Chauvin&nbsp;"was unaware that he was even committing a crime," he wrote, adding: "In fact, in his mind, he was simply performing his lawful duty in assisting other officers in the arrest of George Floyd."

"Mr&nbsp;Chauvin's offense is best described as an error made in good faith... not intentional commission of an illegal act," the lawyer said.

Chauvin&nbsp;also faces separate federal civil rights charges in connection with Floyd's death.

Prosecutors on Wednesday asked a US judge to sentence the white former police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, an unarmed Black man whose death last year sparked nationwide protests, to 30 years in prison.

Prosecutors on Wednesday asked a US judge to sentence the white former police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, an unarmed Black man whose death last year sparked nationwide protests, to 30 years in prison. Attorneys for the Minneapolis officer, Derek Chauvin, countered with a far different request, a sentence of time served and probation, claiming that their client was guilty of "an error made in good faith." Also Read | Chauvin was convicted. Something is still very wrong In court documents sent ahead of the June 25 sentencing hearing, prosecutors in Minnesota called actions by the 45-year-old Chauvin an "egregious abuse" of his position. "Defendant's conduct was also particularly cruel," prosecutors said. They recalled that Judge Peter Cahill had ruled there were four aggravating factors in the case, allowing him to depart from state sentencing guidelines and clearing the path for a tough sentence. Also Read | Early testimony for defence: Derek Chauvin’s use of force on George Floyd was ‘justified’ Chauvin was captured on video kneeling on the neck of the 46-year-old Floyd, suspected of using a counterfeit bill, for more than nine minutes until he passed out and died on May 25, 2020, while ignoring the victim's pleas for air and help. The video of Floyd's death, which went viral, sparked huge protests across the United States and around the world against racism and police violence. After a trial lasting several weeks, Chauvin was convicted of murder on April 20 and immediately jailed. Also Read | US ex-cop Derek Chauvin found guilty of murder, manslaughter in the death of George Floyd The most serious charge that he was convicted of, second-degree murder, carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. As a first-time offender, Chauvin had potentially faced 12 and a half years in prison on that count under the guidelines, but the aggravating factors mean Cahill can opt for a longer jail term. Lawyers for Chauvin said he was seeking "a probationary sentence with an incarceration period of time served." Also Read | Derek Chauvin trial: Murder case against ex-cop in George Floyd's death goes to jury As an alternative, Chauvin "respectfully requests that the court grant him a downward durational departure," or a sentence lower than what the guidelines suggest, his lawyer Eric Nelson wrote. Aside from the "long-term damage a prison sentence would inflict upon Mr Chauvin's life prospects, given his age, convictions for officer-involved offenses significantly increase the likelihood of him becoming a target in prison," Nelson wrote. Also Read | Year after George Floyd's death, poll reveals how Americans feel about race relations Chauvin "was unaware that he was even committing a crime," he wrote, adding: "In fact, in his mind, he was simply performing his lawful duty in assisting other officers in the arrest of George Floyd." "Mr Chauvin's offense is best described as an error made in good faith... not intentional commission of an illegal act," the lawyer said. Chauvin also faces separate federal civil rights charges in connection with Floyd's death.

Prosecutors seek 30 years in jail for ex-cop Dereck Chauvin in George Floyd murder case

A pulmonary expert has revealed that George Floyd was killed by lack of oxygen which was caused by the pressing of the knee into his neck while he was held down by the police officer.

On the ninth day of the Derek Chauvin murder trial, Dr Martin Tobin told the jury that the Black man struggled with lack of oxygen as his face was pressed between the street and Chauvin.

"Mr Floyd died from a low level of oxygen and this caused damage to his brain,"&nbsp;Dr Tobin said.

The lack of oxygen is what caused Floyd's heart to stop, leading to his death. He also reported that the oxygen deprivation happened as Floyd's breathing became shallow due to the position he was held by Chauvin and other police officers for nearly ten minutes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pulmonary-expert-floyd-died-of-low-oxygen-level-prone-position-contributed-376200">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pulmonary-expert-floyd-died-of-low-oxygen-level-prone-position-contributed-376200/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"He's turned prone on the street, that he has the handcuffs in place combined with the street, and then that he has a knee on his neck, and that he has a knee on his back," the doctor said.

"It was almost to the effect that if a surgeon had gone in and removed the lung, Dr Tobin explained through a graphic testimony.

Dr Tobin also added that one of the most dangerous things other than the knee was the positions in which the other officers held his handcuffs. He explained that one officer pushed Floyd’s left hand against his chest while Chauvin's knee "really rammed" into his back, while Floyd was forcibly glued to the hard pavement of the street. Chauvin had also loaded a lot of his own body weight on Floyd, making him struggle to breathe.

Meanwhile, the 45-year-old officer has denied charges of second and third-degree murder and manslaughter. Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted for the allegations.

A pulmonary expert has revealed that George Floyd was killed by lack of oxygen which was caused by the pressing of the knee into his neck while he was held down by the police officer.

A pulmonary expert has revealed that George Floyd was killed by lack of oxygen which was caused by the pressing of the knee into his neck while he was held down by the police officer. On the ninth day of the Derek Chauvin murder trial, Dr Martin Tobin told the jury that the Black man struggled with lack of oxygen as his face was pressed between the street and Chauvin. "Mr Floyd died from a low level of oxygen and this caused damage to his brain," Dr Tobin said. The lack of oxygen is what caused Floyd's heart to stop, leading to his death. He also reported that the oxygen deprivation happened as Floyd's breathing became shallow due to the position he was held by Chauvin and other police officers for nearly ten minutes. Watch | "He's turned prone on the street, that he has the handcuffs in place combined with the street, and then that he has a knee on his neck, and that he has a knee on his back," the doctor said. "It was almost to the effect that if a surgeon had gone in and removed the lung, Dr Tobin explained through a graphic testimony. Dr Tobin also added that one of the most dangerous things other than the knee was the positions in which the other officers held his handcuffs. He explained that one officer pushed Floyd’s left hand against his chest while Chauvin's knee "really rammed" into his back, while Floyd was forcibly glued to the hard pavement of the street. Chauvin had also loaded a lot of his own body weight on Floyd, making him struggle to breathe. Meanwhile, the 45-year-old officer has denied charges of second and third-degree murder and manslaughter. Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted for the allegations.

George Floyd died by lack of oxygen, Pulmonary expert rules in Derek Chauvin murder trial

African-American<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-protests-george-floyd-to-be-buried-in-houston-on-tuesday-304629"> George</a> Floyd was buried&nbsp;in Houston as politicians and celebrities joined in to pay tributes even as civil rights leader Al Sharpton said in anger that "we are fighting wickedness in high places".

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/thousands-pay-tribute-to-george-floyd-in-houston-304440/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

George Floyd, 46, was killed on May 25 after a Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin, 44, knelt on his neck suffocating&nbsp;and killing him leading to large scale protests across the United States.&nbsp;

Chauvin has been set a bail amount of $1 million by a US judge and faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted on charges of second-degree and third-degree murder and manslaughter.

Floyd's cortege made its way through a crowd of people who chanted "we will never forget", "rest in power".

There were victims of police violence at &nbsp;Floyd's funeral as Sharpton said, "Scheming on how you can spin the story rather than how you can achieve justice."

"You sit now trying to figure out how you're going to stop the protest, rather than how you're going to stop the brutality," he said, asserting, "The signals that we're sending is that if you are in law enforcement, that the law doesn't apply to you."

"Until we know the price for black life is the same as the price for white life, we're going to keep coming back to these situations over and over again," Sharpton said at the Fountain of Praise Church in southern Houston.

There were at least 500 guests at the funeral including actor Jamie Foxx, filmmaker Tyler Perry, singer Ne-Yo and boxing champion Floyd Mayweather.

African-American George Floyd was buried in Houston as politicians and celebrities joined in to pay tributes even as civil rights leader Al Sharpton said in anger that "we are fighting wickedness in high places".

African-American George Floyd was buried in Houston as politicians and celebrities joined in to pay tributes even as civil rights leader Al Sharpton said in anger that "we are fighting wickedness in high places". Watch Video: George Floyd, 46, was killed on May 25 after a Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin, 44, knelt on his neck suffocating and killing him leading to large scale protests across the United States. Chauvin has been set a bail amount of $1 million by a US judge and faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted on charges of second-degree and third-degree murder and manslaughter. Floyd's cortege made its way through a crowd of people who chanted "we will never forget", "rest in power". There were victims of police violence at Floyd's funeral as Sharpton said, "Scheming on how you can spin the story rather than how you can achieve justice." "You sit now trying to figure out how you're going to stop the protest, rather than how you're going to stop the brutality," he said, asserting, "The signals that we're sending is that if you are in law enforcement, that the law doesn't apply to you." "Until we know the price for black life is the same as the price for white life, we're going to keep coming back to these situations over and over again," Sharpton said at the Fountain of Praise Church in southern Houston. There were at least 500 guests at the funeral including actor Jamie Foxx, filmmaker Tyler Perry, singer Ne-Yo and boxing champion Floyd Mayweather.

'Rest in power': George Floyd buried in Houston amid protests

Thousands gathered outside Houston's Fountain of Praise Church to pay respects to George Floyd.

Thousands pay tribute to George Floyd in Houston

The Minneapolis Ex-police officer charged with second-degree murder in George Floyd’s death made his first court appearance Monday.

Derek Chauvin makes first court appearance in George Floyd Case