It’s just been announced that the charges against Derek Chauvin have been upgraded to second degree murder and that his fellow officers at the scene are being charged with aiding and abbetting murder:
AP – Prosecutors are charging a Minneapolis police officer accused of pressing his knee against George Floyd’s neck with second-degree murder, and for the first time will level charges against three other officers at the scene, a newspaper reported Wednesday.
Widely seen bystander video showing Floyd’s May 25 death has sparked sometimes violent protests nationwide and around the world. The officer, Derek Chauvin, was fired May 26 and initially charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The three other officers involved were also fired but were not immediately charged.
The Star Tribune reported citing multiple sources reported that Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison would be upgrading the charge against Chauvin while also charging Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao with aiding and abetting murder.
I hate that Keith Ellison is the AG in Minnesota and in charge of this investigation. I have zero respect for him. That said, I don’t really have any issues with the upcharge here.
By upping the charge to 2nd degree murder, however, the prosecution will have to prove that Chauvin intended to kill Floyd even though it wasn’t premediated.
Since charges are being filed against the other three now, I’m assuming they will be in police custody soon if they are not already.