The Minnesota Attorney General, Keith Ellison has increased the charges against a former Minneapolis police officer who was involved in the killing of an African-American man, George Floyd in the US.
Recall that Floyd, an unarmed 46-year-old man died on May 25,2020 in the hands of a White police officer in Minneapolis.
The officer, Derek Chauvin, who was seen in the viral video with his knee on Floyd’s neck, was earlier charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter which some blacks and protesters believe were not harsh enough for the crime.
His death has since sparked a nationwide protest with a call for an end to police violence against black citizens and for justice to be duly served.
However, following a call for the charges to be increased and the other officers brought to book, the Minnesota Attroney on Wednesday announced that the charges against Chauvin has been increased to second-degree murder and also, the other three officers involved in the incident have been charged too.
According to the Attorney, the three other ex-officers involved in the killing, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng were charged with aiding and abetting second degree murder.
“I strongly believe that these developments are in the interest of justice for Mr. Floyd, his family, our community and our state,” the Attorney said.
CNN reports that second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree murder are punishable by up to 40 years in prison.
CNN