Derek Chauvin charged with second-degree murder; 3 other officers charged with aiding/abetting
06/03/2020 11:35 am PDT
UPDATE 6:20 p.m. CT:
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the other officers at the scene -- Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane -- were each charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder while committing a felony, and with aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter with culpable negligence. Both charges are categorized as “unintentional” felonies.
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UPDATE 3 p.m. CT:
In a 3 p.m. CT news conference, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Derek Chauvin's third-degree murder charge was upgraded to murder in the second degree. Ellison also said arrest warrants have been issued for Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane, who are now facing charges of aiding/abetting murder in the second degree.
MINNEAPOLIS (Star Tribune) -- Attorney General Keith Ellison plans to elevate charges against the former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on George Floyd's neck while adding charges of aiding and abetting murder against the other three officers at the scene, according to multiple law enforcement sources familiar with the case.
Ellison is expected to provide an update this afternoon on the state's investigation into Floyd's death. According to sources, former officer Derek Chauvin, recorded on video kneeling on Floyd's neck as he begged for air on May 25, will now be charged with second-degree murder.
The other three officers at the scene -- Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane -- will also be charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder, according to the sources, who spoke on conditions of anonymity.
TRUE CRIME DAILY: George Floyd case coverage - TCD
Thao was recorded watching as Chauvin continued to press on Floyd's neck with his knee. Kueng was one of the first officers on the scene and helped pin Floyd down. Lane was detailed in earlier charges as pointing a gun at Floyd before handcuffing, and later asked whether officers should roll Floyd on his side as he was restrained.
CNN reports two autopsies on Floyd determined that he died by homicide. Minneapolis Police chief Medaria Arradondo fired the four officers and said they were "complicit" in Floyd's death, and Floyd's family and protesters nationwide have called for them to be arrested and convicted for the killing.
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