George Floyd: Charges increased against Derek Chauvin to 2nd degree murder
The news was confirmed by U.S. Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar with the representative adding that the other three officers present will also be charged.
46-year-old George Floyd died in Minneapolis on Monday 25 May after a police officer was filmed kneeling on his neck during an arrest.
Local police officer Derek Chauvin was charged initally with third-degree murder and manslaughter of Floyd with footage which later emerged of the Chauvin kneeling on the neck of Floyd, who subsequently died after telling the officers on the scene that he could not breathe, causing a wave of revulsion across the globe.
Chauvin was taken into custody on the Friday following the incident where he was set to face charges of third degree murder and manslaughter.
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Second degree murder charges for Derek Chauvin
The case took a turn on Wednesday (3 June) when it emerged that Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will be increasing charges against Derek Chauvin to 2nd degree in George Floyd’s murder and also charging other 3 officers who were present on the scene on the 25th, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane.
"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," the family's and Crump's statement said. "That is a source of peace for George's family in this painful time."
The statement urged Ellison to continue the investigation and upgrade the charges to first-degree murder, which carries a life sentence.
George Floyd protests: live coverage
You can follow live coverage of the protests over the killing of George Floyd here.