Chauvin Charges Upgraded To Second-Degree Murder; Three Other Officers Arrested

The criminal charges against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin were upgraded to second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin, 44, faces a maximum of 75 years in prison, including 40 years on the murder charge.

Thomas Lane, Tou Thao, and J. Alexander Kueng were the former officers who watched and did nothing as Chauvin caused the death of George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for nearly nine minutes. They were arrested and charged with felony aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter. Bail was set at $750,000 for each man.

The charging documents state that Floyd was handcuffed on the ground. "Officer Kueng held Mr. Floyd's back and Officer Lane held his legs. Officer Chauvin placed his left knee in the area of Mr. Floyd's head and neck."

Chauvin's wife separated from him the day before he was arrested and filed for divorce the day after. She has also requested a last-name change and full rights and titles to both of the couple's houses.

People Magazine reported that Kellie Chauvin had wanted to end the marriage for a while. A friend is quoted: "She wasn't happy with him. But it was a big step for her to leave him." I haven't seen any reported suggestions or incidents of abuse, but Derek Chauvin had 18 complaints against him, including many for excessive force, and his wife filed immediately after her husband had no way to contact her (in person or otherwise). It makes me wonder.

In Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that the Civilian Office of Police Accountability had received 258 complaints in the last week, after the mayor asked Chicagoans to call 311 and report instances of abuse. The complaints included use of force, denial of the right to counsel, failure to activate body cameras, and concealed name tags. Lightfoot had asked Chicagoans to report and file complaints to 311 if they have been mistreated.

The Rev. Al Sharpton spoke George Floyd's memorial service in Minneapolis:

I saw somebody standing in front of a church the other day that had been boarded up as a result of violence. [He] held the Bible in his hand. I've been preaching since I was a little boy. I've never seen anyone hold a Bible like that. But since he held the Bible, if he's watching us today, I would like him to open that Bible. [He read from the third chapter of Ecclesiastes: "To every season, there's a time and a purpose."] We cannot use Bibles as a prop. And for those that have agendas that are not about justice, this family will not let you use George as a prop.