Derek Chauvin Charged With More Than Manslaughter

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison upgraded charges Wednesday against the former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on George Floyd's neck as he died, the Star Tribune reports. Derek Chauvin is now accused of second-degree murder, and three other officers at the scene are charged with aiding and abetting murder. Sen. Amy Klobuchar called the upgrade "another important step for justice" and Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump issued a statement about the "bittersweet moment," saying, "We are deeply gratified that ... Ellison took decisive action in this case, arresting and charging all the officers involved in George Floyd's death and upgrading the charge against Derek Chauvin to felony second-degree murder."

Chauvin was initially charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, charges he is still facing. "We strongly believe these developments are in the interest of justice for Mr. Floyd, his family, this community and our state," Ellison said at a news conference. "George Floyd mattered. He was loved, his family was important and his life had value. We will seek justice for him and for you and we will find it." The other officers, who the AP reports have all been fired, are Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng, and Thomas Lane. Per the Star Tribune, Thao allegedly recorded the scene; Kueng allegedly participated in pinning Floyd down, and Lane allegedly asked whether a handcuffed Floyd should be turned onto his side. (More George Floyd stories.)