Feds eye new knee charge vs. Chauvin

The Department of Justice is reportedly considering charging Derek Chauvin in a 2017 incident involving a Black teenager that came to light while prosecutors were preparing the George Floyd murder case against the former Minneapolis cop.

The DOJ’s investigation focuses on footage of Chauvin (photo below) striking a 14-year-old so hard that he needed stitches to close the wound, then kneeling on him for almost 17 minutes — mostly putting pressure on his upper back — as the youngster complained he couldn’t breathe, ABC News reported.

Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes before the 46-year-old Black man died May 25, 2020 after begging for air. Chauvin was convicted of his murder Tuesday.

A state prosecutor wrote of the 2017 incident that “videos show a far more violent and forceful treatment of this child than Chauvin describes in his report,” yet no action was taken against him. ABC News reported the feds are now considering pressing charges against Chauvin, 45, based on evidence including videos from body-cams. The fired cop is awaiting sentencing for Floyd’s murder.

The Minneapolis Police Department was reportedly made aware of the DOJ investigation and pledged its cooperation.

The alleged abuse occurred when a Minneapolis mom called police claiming her son and daughter were attacking her. Prosecutors said Chauvin “applied a neck restraint, causing the child to lose consciousness and go to the ground.”

State prosecutors tried in vain to introduce footage from the 2017 confrontation in the Floyd case. Chauvin’s former defense lawyer argued the two situations were unrelated.

The DOJ is also said to be weighing charges against Chauvin in Floyd’s death.