Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin is now facing an additional murder charge in the death of George Floyd after Hennepin County Judge reinstated a count of third-degree murder.
Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin is now facing an additional murder charge in the death of George Floyd after Hennepin County Judge reinstated a count of third-degree murder. Chauvin already faces charges of second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter. He has pleaded not guilty to all three of the charges. The added charges provide prosecutors a third potential pathway in order to convict him in the closely-watched case. The case began on Thursday with jury selection at the Hennepin County Government Center. According to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, “The charge of 3rd-degree murder, in addition to manslaughter and felony murder, reflects the gravity of the allegations against Mr. Chauvin” The judge noted that they are looking forward to presenting all three charges to the jury. Chauvin was initially charged with third-degree in the days after Floyd’s death that took place in May 2020. But, Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill dismissed the account back in October saying that it did not apply to the case.
