George Floyd death trial faces delay
THE Minnesota Court of Appeals this weekend ordered a judge to reconsider adding a third-degree murder charge against a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death, handing a potential victory to prosecutors — but setting up a possible delay to a trial set to start tomorrow morning.
Floyd, who was black, was killed during an arrest after a store clerk alleged he had passed a counterfeit $20 bill in Minneapolis.
Derek Chauvin, one of four police officers who arrived on the scene, knelt on Floyd’s neck for a period initially reported to be eight minutes and 46 seconds. At the time Floyd was handcuffed and pleaded with police, saying that he couldn’t breathe.
Two other officers further restrained Floyd and a fourth prevented onlookers from intervening. During the final two minutes, Floyd was motionless and had no pulse. Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd’s neck as emergency medical technicians arrived.
In the wake of his death, civil unrest spiralled into protests which spread worldwide and forced a painful reckoning on racial justice in the US.
With tensions growing over the looming trial, authorities have already surrounded the courthouse and nearby buildings in downtown Minneapolis with tall barriers of chain-link fencing and razor wire in case of protests.
A judge ruled last October that third-degree murder under Minnesota law requires proof that someone’s conduct was “eminently dangerous to others” plural — not just to Floyd. The judge said there was no evidence that Chauvin endangered anyone else and threw out the charge. But the Court of Appeals rejected this, ruling that a third-degree murder conviction can be sustained even if the action that caused a victim’s death was directed at just one person.
The appeals court rejected the argument by Chauvin’s attorney that the ruling shouldn’t have the force of law unless and until it’s affirmed by the Minnesota Supreme Court, which could potentially push back the start of the Chauvin trial to June 2021.
Three other former officers — Thomas Lane, J Kueng and Tou Thao — are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter. They’re scheduled for trial in August.