Attorney General Keith Ellison says ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is now charged with second-degree murder in the death of George Floyd. He was initially arrested for third-degree murder. Ellison said the evidence against Chauvin supported stronger charges in the case. Three other Minneapolis police officers involved in the death of Floyd are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter. Former Officers Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao were there when Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes until he lost consciousness. The criminal complaint says Lane asked Chauvin twice “should we roll him on his side?” while he was restraining Floyd. A-G Ellison is asking for continued patience as the investigation continues.
In addition, the state Human Rights Department has launched a civil rights investigation of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD). The investigation was prompted by the death of Floyd. The investigation will cover the past decade to determine if M-P-D has engaged in systemic discrimination toward people of color. “It’s the opportunity for the state of Minnesota to look at a broad range of practices of the Police Department and to force changes on the police department in a way that will prevent future violations.” Former U-S Attorney for Minnesota Thomas Heffelfinger says ultimately, the state could bring a lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis seeking a court order forcing the city to change its policies and procedures.