officers who were present when American man George Floyd was killed on May 26,reported US Meadia.
Derek Chauvin, arrested Friday on charges of third-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, 46, was newly charged with an additional, more serious count of second-degree murder, according to court documents filed in the case.
The added charge, defined under Minnesota law as unintentionally causing another person’s death in the commission of a felony offense, can carry a sentence of up to 40 years, 15 years longer than the maximum sentence for third-degree murder.
Chauvin, 44, was the white officer seen in widely circulated video footage kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes as Floyd gasped for air and repeatedly groaned, “Please, I can’t breathe,” before growing motionless while bystanders shouted at police to let him up.
Floyd, whom police suspected of trying to pass a counterfeit bill to pay for cigarettes, was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after the fatal encounter on May 25.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the new charges were in the interests of justice, reported BBC. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar said the latest charges were “another important step for justice”. Floyd’s family lawyer Benjamin Crump said it was a “significant step forward on the road to justice”. “This moment is a tipping point to change America,” said Crump. “All the world is watching.” Floyd’s son Quincy Mason said his family wants justice. “My father shouldn’t have been killed like this,” he added.
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