According to Minnesota’s Attorney General’s Office, Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin, responsible for George Floyd’s death to face an upgraded charge of second-degree murder. Arrest warrants have also been issued against three more officers who were present in the scene and let the heinous act happen.
Derek Chauvin has already been charged with second-degree manslaughter and third-degree murder earlier and the charges remain in effect. J.A. Kueng, Tou Thao, and Thomas Lane are the other three officers who have been charged with two counts of aiding and encouraging the second-degree murder. If the officers are jailed for both the reasons, they might be in prison for 50 years and have to pay a fine of $20,000. Keith Ellison, the Minnesota Attorney General, reported that the upgraded charges of the officers will imply maximum sentence of imprisonment.
Derek Chauvin was arrested on May 29 with two charges against him. He was already fired from his job on May 26, one day after Georg Floyd died in police custody. The other three officers were also fired following Derek. They were taken into custody on June 3 and all are under trial now.
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Appeal for charges against Minneapolis Officer
From peaceful protest to night time riots, the country has gone through a lot in the past week. Not only in Minnesota, but other metro cities have responded to the death of Floyd.
George Floyd’s family demanded that all three officers who supported the crime should be arrested in a press conference. Ben Crump, the lead attorney for Floyd joined the victim’s son Quincy Mason, held a press conference in the same place where the video was shot on the Memorial Day.
Crump said that he expected all officers to get arrested before they lead a memorial for Floyd in Minneapolis. He added there can’t be “two justice systems in America – one for black America and one for white America.” He demanded equal justice and his appeal was heard by the court.
Crump added that the independent autopsy done by the family reported mechanical asphyxiation due to the pressure on the back and neck. He proclaimed that change will come in the criminal justice system and that he witnesses the change from now. He also added that they’re confident about Keith Ellison who is working tirelessly to serve justice for the Floyd family.
The witness Donna Williams who saw the officers kill George Floyd had warned them that the man was going to die. She explained that he was feeling like a fish out of water, gasping for air. The autopsy report also had the same results and stated that the man was starving for air to breathe.
The family attorney thanked the Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for bringing human rights charges against the police department. George Floyd was tortured for the last 8 minutes and 46 seconds of his life and that deserves justice.
George Floyd Memorial
Quincy Mason came out in the town to attend his father’s memorial service and spoke to the press conference. He thanked everyone who asked for justice for his father and has shown love and support. He also said no one should have to live without their father.
