Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz asked Attorney General Keith Ellison to take over the prosecution of Officer Derek Chauvin. Ellison has now the charges against Chauvin to second-degree murder. The change comes after an autopsy on George Floyd found his death was due to asphyxiation.
According to law enforcement personnel familiar with the case, Ellison will also be charging the other three officers on the scene with aiding and abetting in the murder. Thus far the other officers involved, The other three officers at the scene — Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane had not been charged with any crime. Chauvin was arrested last Friday and initially charged with manslaughter and third-degree murder.
Benjamin Crump, one of the attorney’s representing the family of Floyd praised the upgraded charges and additional arrests of the other officers involved. In a statement made shortly after the announcement, he called it a ‘bittersweet moment’ and said that he and the family were deeply gratified that this step was taken prior to Floyd’s funeral.
Crump also urged Ellison to up the charges further to first-degree murder, which carries with it a life sentence should Chauvin be found guilty.
Stay tuned as this story develops.
