Charges filed vs. 3 more ex-police officers in George Floyd’s death, Chauvin’s murder charge upgraded

Floyd’s death at the hands of the police caused outrage and sparked protests in different cities across America to demand justice and condemn police brutality and racial injustice. (File photo: @munshots/Unsplash)

The four former Minneapolis police officers who were involved in the controversial killing of African-American George Floyd are all now facing charges.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced on Wednesday, June 3, that three former officers Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

Meanwhile, the charge against Derek Chauvin, the cop who pressed his knee down on Floyd’s neck, was slapped with a second-degree murder charge, in addition to the third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges filed against him earlier.

“I strongly believe that these developments are in the interest of justice for Mr. Floyd, his family, our community,” Ellison said in a news conference.

Thao, Lane, and Kueng were reportedly taken into custody on Wednesday and that the bail for each officer was set at $1 million.

In a statement released by Ben Crump, the lawyer representing Floyd’s family, the relatives welcomed the latest development on Floyd’s case, saying it was a “bittersweet moment” for them.

“We are deeply gratified that Attorney General Keith 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,” it said.

“This is a significant step forward on the road to justice, and we are gratified that this important action was brought before George Floyd’s body was laid to rest,” it continued.

The family also thanked Americans for the outpouring support they are getting from them and urged them “to raise their voices for change in peaceful ways.”

“Find constructive and positive ways to keep the focus and pressure on. Don’t let up on your demand for change,” it said.

Floyd’s death at the hands of the police caused outrage and sparked protests in different cities across America to demand justice and condemn police brutality and racial injustice.