Judge drops third-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin in George Floyd’s death case

A Hennepin County judge dropped a third-degree murder case against ex-Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of an African-American man, George Floyd, whose death sparked nationwide outrage against racism and police brutality. However, the judge has said that Chauvin would still be facing second-degree murder and manslaughter charges in the death case of Floyd, the court’s ruling, released on October 22, stated. 

Chauvin was released on a $1 million bond earlier this month. The ex-officer on May 25 was seen in videos kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes while the African-American man kept saying ‘I can’t breathe.’ Floyd died later that day. Alongside Chauvin, former police officers Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng were also charged with the murder charges of Floyd. 

Peter Cahill, the Hennepin County Judge, also denied motions to dismiss charges on the other three judges, who were present at the scene of the incident.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who is leading Floyd’s prosecution, in a statement called the ruling a “positive step forward in the path toward justice for George Floyd, his family, our community, and Minnesota.” She added that the court has sustained eight out of nine charges against the defendants, retaining all the serious charges, in Floyd’s murder case. 

“We are considering our options in light of the court’s strong order on the remaining charges,” Reuters quoted Ellison. 

After the killing of Floyd, Chauvin was charged with second and third-degree and manslaughter charges. Floyd’s death led to widespread protests in the US and other nations over police brutality and racism.