George Floyd death: Police officer Derek Chauvin to appear in court two weeks after killing
Ex-Minneapolis cop will attend court for first time on Monday, as mourners gather at final George Floyd memorial service in Houston
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two weeks after George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis police custody sparked worldwide protests against systemic racism, the man charged with his murder, Derek Chauvin, will appear in court.
Chauvin is expected to make a virtual appearance on Monday afternoon before judges at Hennepin County Court in Minneapolis, who have charged the ex-cop with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
The 44-year-old's face has now become synonymous with both institutionalised racism and excessive policing in the US, after he was videoed pinning George Floyd to the ground for almost 9 minutes whilst the unarmed black man pleaded “I can’t breathe”, and later died.
Minnesota’s attorney general Keith Ellison announced on Wednesday that he had elevated the charges against Chauvin, who was earlier charged with third-degree murder.
Three other US states, including Minnesota, use the third degree murder charge which carries a 25 year prison sentence.
Chauvin could, however, be imprisoned for up to 40 years with a conviction for second degree murder, the more serious crime, or 10 years in prison under second degree manslaughter.
“These cases are not easy. It’s important for people to understand that,” said the state attorney, Keith Ellison, to Local 4 News. “We look at the video and we (think), ‘it couldn’t be more clear, what’s the problem?’”
“Well, the problem is [that] it’s a complicated set of features of our system,” added Mr Ellison on Sunday. “Which, I think, up until now, have led to the under-prosecution of excessive force of our police.”
He issued arrest warrants on Wednesday for Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng, the three other former Minneapolis police officers who were alongside Chauvin during Mr Floyd’s arrest, and suffocation.
They are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Chauvin’s court appearance also comes as mourners attend the third and final memorial for George Floyd on Monday, held in his home city, Houston.