Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer arrested in the death of George Floyd, will be charged with second-degree murder, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday. Additionally, the three other three officers at the scene — Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane — will also be charged with aiding and abetting murder in the second degree, Ellison said.
“I strongly believe that these developments are in the interest of justice for Mr. FLoyd, his family, our community and our state,” Ellison said.
Chauvin had previously been charged with third degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The upgraded charge is significant because Minnesota law requires the prosecutor to prove Chauvin intended to cause Floyd’s death.
Ellison took over the prosecution earlier this week.
“We are here today because George Floyd is not,” Ellison said at a press conference Wednesday. “He should be here.”
