The three other cops involved in George Floyd’s killing are to be charged with aiding and abetting murder, and Derek Chauvin – the cop who knelt on Floyd’s neck – has had his third degree murder charge elevated to a second degree murder charge, multiple sources in Minnesota have claimed.
Thomas Lane, J.A. Kueng and Tou Thao were all present when Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck in Minneapolis on Monday for eight minutes and 46 seconds.
On Wednesday afternoon, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar tweeted that the three other cops had been charged but she did not reveal what the charges were.
She said Chauvin’s charge had been heightened from third degree to second degree murder which alleges he intentionally killed Floyd without premeditation, and raises the maximum sentence he faces from 25 years behind bars to 40 years behind bars.
Law enforcement sources told The Star Tribune, a local newspaper in Minnesota, that the others would face aiding and abetting murder charges.
Aiding and abetting second degree murder carries the same sentence of a maximum of 40 years.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is expected to give a press conference announcing the charges imminently.
Thomas Lane, J.A. Kueng and Tou Thao were all present when Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck in Minneapolis on Monday for eight minutes and 46 seconds. The Minnesota AG is due to announce that he has charged them with aiding and abetting murder
Another angle of the infamous video shows Chauvin with his knee on Floyd’s neck and the three other cops right beside him
On Wednesday afternoon, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar tweeted that the three other cops had been charged but she did not reveal what the charges were
The Star Tribune has reported that the three others are being charged with aiding and abetting murder, and that Chauvin’s charge has been upgraded.
All four cops were fired but the three others were not charged initially, to the dismay of Floyd and protesters around the world who say they are just as complicit because they did nothing to prevent Floyd’s death.
Derek Chauvin, 44, has been charged with third degree murder and manslaughter. His charges may be made more severe, the AG said earlier this week
After Klobuchar tweeted, Benjamin Crump, the Floyd family lawyer, tweeted that it was a ‘bittersweet moment’.
‘This is a bittersweet moment.
‘We are deeply gratified that AGEllison took decisive action, arresting & charging ALL the officers involved in #GeorgeFloyd ‘s death & upgrading the charge against Derek Chauvin to felony second-degree murder. #JusticeForGeorge.’
The case was taken out of the hands of Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman and handed over to Minnesota AG Keith Ellison earlier this week after a groundswell of outrage over how the case had been handled to date.
Ellison’s office vowed to carry out a full overhaul of the investigation, including whether or not Chauvin’s charges should be upgraded from third degree murder to first degree murder.
Floyd, 46, died last Monday
A spokesman for his office did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s inquiries.
The new development came as Floyd’s adult son – Quincy Mason Floyd – visited the site where his father died with the family’s lawyer, Benjamin Crump.
Crump also told reporters that he’d been informed a decision on the case had been reached.
Both Chauvin and Thao had been complained about for their use of force in the past.
Tou Thao, was part of a $25,000 out of court settlement after being sued for using excessive force in 2017.
Quincy Mason Floyd, George Floyd’s son, (center) kneels at the spot where he died last Monday
Quincy kneeling at the site where his father died on Wednesday afternoon
George Floyd’s adult son Quincy Mason Floyd (pictured center) visited the site where his father died in Minneapolis last Monday
A lawsuit obtained by the DailyMail.com shows Thao was sued for using excessive force in arrest where he was accused of punching and kicking a handcuffed suspect ‘until his teeth broke’.
In 2006 Derek Chauvin, 44, was one of six officers connected to the death of Wayne Reyes. Reyes, 42 was killed by officers after allegedly pulling a shotgun on the six cops, which included Chauvin.
Two years later Chauvin was investigated for his role in the 2008 shooting of Ira Latrell Toles during a domestic assault call.
Toles was wounded after police said he went for an officer’s gun and Chauvin shot him. And in 2011 23-year-old Leroy Martinez was shot and injured during a chase given by officers including Chauvin. Lane and Keung are reportedly rookies.
The announcement on Wednesday comes after more than a week of civil unrest across the United States which has seen thousands of peaceful protests, a social media blackout in the name of racial justice, and out-of-control looting and violence.
The unrest began last week in Minneapolis – where Floyd was killed – but it quickly spread across the nation and sparked conversations of police brutality and racial inequality around the world.
Floyd was accused of using a forged $20 bill to pay for something when the police were called on him.
The 46-year-old father begged for his life as Chauvin knelt on his neck without flinching.
The three other cops held Chauvin restrain him despite him pleading for breath and saying his chest and neck hurt.
A video of the incident that was filmed by disgusted bystanders went viral and sparked the investigation into the police officers.
Initially, they were only fired. Chauvin was then charged but unsatisfied critics demanded the others be brought to justice.