June 3. 2020

Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao have all been fired and charged in the death of George Floyd

Police officer Derek Chauvin was arrested for the murder of defenseless man, George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mobile phone footage was released of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck, with his hand in his pocket, while arrogantly posing over the dying man, who was pleading for mercy in stating, "I can't breathe."

Chauvin's fellow officers help him kill Floyd. One was a lookout and two others helped Chauvin pin Floyd to the ground, for a total of 9-minutes, which resulted in his death from mechanical asphyxiation. Public outcry led to Chauvin's arrest. However, the public then demanded Chauvin's fellow officers who aided him in killing Floyd, be arrested as well.

Murder victim George Floyd

Today police officers J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, were arrested and charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, in assisting Chauvin in killing Floyd. The Associated Press stated, "If convicted, they could be sentenced to up to four decades in prison."

Chauvin was initially charged with third degree murder and manslaughter. After additional public outcry, today his charges were upgraded to second degree murder, which under the U.S. legal system carries harsher prison penalties if convicted of the crime. Due to the charges being upgraded, Chauvin is now potentially facing 40-years in prison, as opposed to 25-years, if convicted of the charges.

STORY SOURCE

Prosecutors charge 3 more officers in George Floyd’s death

44 minutes ago - MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prosecutors charged three more police officers Wednesday in the death of George Floyd and filed a new, tougher charge against the officer at the center of the case, delivering a victory to protesters who have filled the streets from coast to coast to fight police brutality and racial injustice.

The most serious charge was filed against Derek Chauvin, who was caught on video pressing his knee to Floyd’s neck and now must defend himself against an accusation of second-degree murder. The three other officers at the scene were charged for the first time with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter...