Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison charged three former Minneapolis police officers Wednesday in connection with the death of George Floyd in their custody.
Floyd’s family has asked that first-degree murder charges be brought.
The upgraded charge against Chauvin says the officer’s actions were a “substantial causal factor” in Floyd’s death.
“Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s decision to increase the charge against the former Minneapolis officer directly responsible for Mr. Floyd’s death to 2nd Degree Murder is a major step toward justice.
Just as importantly, the felony charges of aiding and abetting 2nd-degree murder against the other three send a message to all police officers that they are criminally responsible when they see a crime being committed by a fellow officer against any citizen and fail to protect the victim.
