By Brendan O’Brien
MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will increase the charge against a fired Minneapolis police officer to second-degree murder in the death of an unarmed black man and level charges against the three other fired officers in a case that has led to more than a week of sometimes violent protests across the United States, the Star Tribune newspaper said on Wednesday.
Chauvin, 44, was fired and charged last week with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Second-degree murder – the new charge – can carry a sentence of up to 40 years, 15 years longer than the maximum sentence for third-degree murder.
The three others who were involved in the incident – Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao – will be charged with aiding and abetting murder, the Minnesota-based newspaper said, citing sources.
Attorneys for the other three officers who may be charged did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
