Minnesota’s Attorney-General has elevated the charges against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin to second-degree murder for kneeling on the neck of George Floyd.
Three other officers have been charged with aiding second-degree murder, according to court documents.
“Officer Chauvin’s restraint of Mr Floyd in this manner for a prolonged period was a substantial causal factor in Mr Floyd losing consciousness, constituting substantial bodily harm, and Mr Floyd’s death as well,” the criminal complaint said.
Mr Floyd’s family believe the former police officer should be facing a first-degree murder charge, the family’s lawyer Benjamin Crump said following the announcement.
Mr Floyd died in police custody after Mr Chauvin knelt on the unarmed African American’s neck for around eight minutes.
Video from the incident shows bystanders repeatedly asking Mr Chauvin to withdraw from Mr Floyd.
Mr Floyd also repeated the phrase “I can’t breathe” while calling out for his mother.
3:20 – A plan to withdraw active-duty troops from Washington DC has been quickly reversed after a White House which overturned the earlier Pentagon decision.
Read more here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-04/george-floyd-police-derek-chauvin-charges-second-degree-murder/12319112
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-04/george-floyd-protests-us-live-updates/12317996
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