Minnesota News Network

Judge Peter Cahill has ruled that prosecutors in the Derek Chauvin trial have proven “beyond a reasonable doubt” some aggravating sentencing factors. The ruling could mean a longer sentence for Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted in the murder of George Floyd. Cahill says prosecutors have proven that Chauvin abused a position of authority, treated Floyd with particular cruelty, children were present during the commission of the offense, and Chauvin committed the crime as a group with the active participation of at least three other people. Chauvin was convicted in April of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin is set to be sentenced on June 25th. Judge Cahill’s ruling can be found here.

A federal grand jury has indicted the four former Minneapolis police officers involved in George Floyd’s arrest and death. The indictments unsealed today name Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao. They’re accused of violating Floyd’s constitutional rights as he was restrained on May 25th, 2020. Specifically, Chauvin, Thao and Kueng are charged with violating Floyd’s right to be free from unreasonable seizure and excessive force. All four officers are charged for their failure to provide Floyd with medical care. The Minnesota Attorney General’s office calls federal prosecution for the violation of George Floyd’s civil rights “entirely appropriate.”

Governor Tim Walz today is announcing his three-step plan for ending COVID-related restrictions in the state. Walz says limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings will be eased starting on May 7th, with a goal of outdoor limits ending and indoor limits being curbed on May 28th. And Walz is aiming to end the mask mandate on July 1st–or sooner–if 70% of Minnesotans are vaccinated. Walz is expected to offer more details later today (noon). Walz says: “Our nation-leading vaccination effort has put us in a strong position to safely transition toward life as we used to know it,” said Governor Walz. “The pandemic is not over and we have work to do. But from the State Fairgrounds, to doctor’s offices, to retrofitted Metro Transit buses that deliver vaccines where they’re most needed, Minnesotans now have more opportunities than ever to get the vaccine when and where they want to. As cases recede, more people get vaccinated every day, and vaccines are readily available to all who want it, we can now confidently and safely set out our path back to normal.” The most at-risk Minnesotans, including seniors, long-term care residents, assisted living residents, educators, and front-line workers have gotten their vaccines. Nearly 90% of Minnesotans over the age of 65 have gotten at least one dose. Walz says because the youngest Minnesotans are not yet eligible for the vaccine, the Safe Learning Plan for schools will continue until the end of the school year to protect students, teachers, and staff in schools. In response to today’s announcement, Representative Kurt Daudt of Crown says “the data clearly shows we’ve made incredible progress reducing case counts and getting Minnesotans vaccinated, but the Governor insists on holding on to powers he doesn’t need – it’s time to open up and end the emergency powers.”

Sun Country Airlines announced Tuesday 18 new nonstop routes. The expansion includes six new routes from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Also, the airline is adding Duluth International Airport and Rochester International Airport to its network.

Flights from MSP beginning in November and December include Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Punta Gorda Airport, Owen Roberts International Airport in the Cayman Islands, and Providenciales International Airport in Turks and Caicos.

From the Duluth International Airport, travelers can fly direct to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers and to Phoenix Sky Habor International Airport. Service to both cities begins in December.

Direct flights from Rochester to both Fort Myers and Phoenix begin in February.

The U-S Department of Justice is conducting an investigation into whether the Minneapolis Police Department engages in a “pattern and practice” of illegal conduct. U-S Attorney General Merrick Garland made the announcement this morning–just one day after ex-officer Derek Chauvin’s murder and manslaughter conviction. Garland said, “yesterday’s verdict in the state criminal trial does not address potentially systemic policing issues in Minneapolis.” The investigation aims to establish whether the state’s largest police department is engaging in practices that promote or allow systemic wrongdoing. Garland says if wrongdoing is discovered it’s likely to bring a civil suit and a potential order from the DOJ for the Minneapolis Police Department to change its policies in a variety of areas, including use of force.

Guilty on all three counts is the verdict from the jury this afternoon in the Derek Chauvin case. Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Most analysts agree an appeal is likely, and some say it could go as far as the U-S Supreme Court. Chauvin, who was masked, appeared stern and glanced around the courtroom as the verdict was read. Soon after he was led away in handcuffs. George Floyd’s brother Philonise hugged two of the prosecutors and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison after the verdicts were read. President Biden said earlier he was “praying” for a guilty verdict. Senator Amy Klobuchar calls it “a first step toward accountability.” Senator Tina Smith says it is “a moment to recommit ourselves to… racial justice.” Governor Tim Walz says “the trial is over, but our work has only begun.” He says, “True justice for George only comes through real, systemic change to prevent this from happening again.” House Speaker, Democrat Melissa Hortman says “our work is far from done.” And Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says, “Though no verdict will bring George Floyd back, I pray the Floyd family today is in some way comforted knowing the judicial system has provided justice.” Earlier today, activist Nekima-Levy Armstrong called on President Biden and local leaders to enact police and criminal justice reforms and said “we are suffering as black people in the state of Minnesota. We do not feel safe, we know that at any moment police officers can kill another black body and get away with it–in spite of what we heard during the Derek Chauvin trial.” Attorney General Ellison today said
“George Floyd mattered, he was loved by his family and friends. His death shocked the conscience of our community, our country, the whole world…he mattered because he was a human being. Ellison thanked the jury, his legal team and the Floyd family for giving the legal team time to prosecute the case. Ellison also said he knows the verdict doesn’t take away their pain, but he hopes it helps to put them on the path to healing.