Fired Minneapolis Officer Charged with Murder in Floyd Death

Hennepin County (MN) Attorney Mike Freeman on Friday afternoon announced murder and manslaughter charges against the fired Minneapolis police officer who used his knee on the back of George Floyd's neck Monday to pin the man to the ground during an arrest. Floyd died under medical care immediately following the arrest.

Derek Chauvin, 44, was arrested late Friday morning and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter four days after the incident, the Star Tribune reports. While pinned to the ground by Chauvin's knee for reportedly more than 8 minutes, Floyd, who was handcuffed, repeatedly expressed distress and said he couldn't breathe.

The criminal complaint, citing the autopsy, pointed out that Floyd did not die from strangulation but a combination of being restrained along with various underlying medical conditions including heart disease and hypertension.

Freeman said evidence against Chauvin includes video, witness statements, a preliminary medical examiner’s report and discussions with an expert. He declined to be more specific, leaving that to the criminal complaint .

Three other officers involved in Floyd’s curbside detention were also fired. Freeman said he anticipates they will also be prosecuted, although he would not say on what charges.