All four fired Minneapolis police officers involved in George Floyd’s death now face criminal charges, and all are in custody.
According to court records, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J Alexander Kueng all face aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder, as well as aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.
In Photo, from left to right: Tou Thao, Derek Chauvin, J Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane
Additionally, Derek Chauvin’s murder charge has been upgraded to second-degree unintentional murder. He still faces third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
In a widely-seen video, Chauvin is seen kneeling on George Floyd’s neck before his May 25 death. Lane and Kueng helped hold Floyd down while Thao stood watch.
In regards to Chauvin’s upgraded charge, Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines indicate two different possibilities for intentional second-degree murder and unintentional second-degree murder. The former sentencing guideline calls for, upon conviction, 25 and a half years in prison, whereas the latter calls for 12 and a half years.
Attorney Eric Nelson of Halberg Criminal Defense will be representing Chauvin.
In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison first announced the additional murder charge for Chauvin alongside Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman.
“I believe the evidence available to us now supports the stronger charge of second-degree murder,” Ellison said.
On the other officers being charged, Ellison said, “I strongly believe that these developments are in the interest of justice for Mr. Floyd, his family, our community and our state.”
Ellison said not much more information on the case will be released as the investigation continues, but that officials “are pursuing justice” by all legal and ethical means available.
Ellison said a conviction will be hard, but he cited Freeman’s record of being the only county attorney to convict a police officer.
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