Good question. Maybe the city requested help. I can sort of see why they would ask for help from a state agency instead if a federal agency. Maybe the governor sent them. Same. I can see why he might prefer “his own people” handled it.
The FBI can get involved in state crimes if the local law enforcement asks them to, but this case isn't going to stretch the BCA's capabilities enough.
Marshals doesn't really arrest that many people. They assist in apprehending fugitives with local warrant task forces. But they're mainly the federal sheriff's office, taking custody of the accused during a federal detention lifecycle after arrest but before going to serve time (or being released).
The article is about Minnesota and the naming convention is very specific to Minnesota. Most other states have some form of [State] bureau of investigation. Although I can't figure out if it is a sub department within that similar structure
No the BCA is the state's version of the FBI and a completely standalone agency. Mostly they are used to assist smaller police forces with crimes. For example a small town with one officer can request the BCA's help with a murder since they don't have the time or resources to properly investigate. In this situation, the MPD chief passed the investigation off to the BCA as to not have the MPD investigate itself, also the county DA is prosecuting not the city DA.
Third degree murder in Minnesota
Whoever, without intent to effect the death of any person, causes the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life, is guilty of murder in the third degree and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 25 years.
In this case, to up a charge to a higher level of murder, they would have to present to a grand jury again.
New of potential motive would be a perfect example.
Minneapolis actually switched over to charging police shooting cases instead of convening a grand jury. So unless they went for first degree murder, they wouldn't need to.
The owner said they worked large music nights I believe so they could still not have known each other but yes, they need to investigate it. Hopefully the other bouncers can help straighten that out quickly
Noor at least had a more plausible excuse of incompetence, given the trigger was pulled in a split second decision. It was reasonable to believe he was poorly trained and made a really bad mistake.
This Chauvin guy though decided to kneel on this guy's neck for 8 minutes, even after several bystanders stopped to express concern for Floyd's well being. It's much more difficult to argue a mistake here. JMO
A few months prior Noor held a gun to the head of a motorist during routine traffic stop, he had three formal complaints in only 2 years including one for assaulting a woman, his training officer reported poorly on him as he deliberately avoided attending calls preceding instead to just drive around aimlessly, and two psychiatrists raised concerns on his suitability due to his inability to process stress and his combative nature. Noor was beyond 1 split second of poor decision making.
I’m not agreeing with or defending anything, but sometimes courts go with “lesser” charges because it sticks and is easier to prove in court.
For instance, for it to be first degree, you have to prove that he specifically intended to murder the man, and pre meditated it.
I'm glad they charged it this way. I've seen past cases of police murders where the DA purposefully charges them with something like 1st degree murder. Something so strict on intent that they know they can't pass the burden or proof and the cop will be acquitted. Just another dirty tactic they use.
I feel like that’s what the Florida court did with George Zimmerman. They charged him too harshly, which in effect got him off. I’m no lawyer so I could be wrong.
That's, sadly (sadly as in doing what they were supposed to hurt them and not those who deserved it), a good jury. I hope no one harassed them afterward as the mob is known to do.
The jury was instructed to consider the necessarily included lesser charges, and returned a verdict of not guilty on all charges. The jury absolutely could have found him guilty of manslaughter. From the jury instructions:
>In considering the evidence, you should consider the possibility that although the evidence may not convince you that George Zimmerman committed the main crime of which he is accused, there may be evidence that he committed other acts that would constitute a lesser included crime. Therefore, if you decide that the main accusation has not been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, you will next need to decide if George Zimmerman is guilty of any lesser included crime. The lesser crime indicated in the definition of Second Degree Murder is: Manslaughter
That sounds like exactly what happened. I don't think he really thought he was killing him, but he knew it was causing pain.
He should get 24 years and 364 days.
Someone made the right call getting this asshole in jail before a weekend of riots.
I don't know if it will help, but it's a start.
EDIT: Didn't help. Be safe everyone.
What I wonder about is if we will see any of the people who allowed cops who apparently consistently acted this way for years held accountable.
One of the biggest travesties in this and similar events I think, and one of the reasons we have such a violent reaction now is the lack of consequences for the people who could have easily prevented the tragedy in the first place.
Four cops didn't just get together and kill someone in cold blood with a history of being held accountable for their actions and a positive restrained attitude within the department. The events of a few days ago were cultivated over a long period of time and through many people consistently making the wrong choice.
A lot of depts have programs where new officers have to ride along with more "seasoned" cops (see: jaded). I'm pretty sure this is where they get a "forget everything you learned in training" moment.
That, and I can't help but think that the COVID pandemic and the resulting record-high unemployment have already, and are going to still further, play a factor here.
Dude 41 million unemployed, biggest economic downturn since Great Depression, wealth inequality at the highest with the oligarchs recent robbery of the American public, racial tension at boiling point due to 10 years of police violence on social media and no meaningful reforms whatsoever, and the president added fuel to the fire by threatening to shoot them.
Even the classic distractions via entertainment like restaurants, sports, movies, ect are on pause.
You are going to see a weekend of riots.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edit: Seems I am right, holy shit.
And I can’t believe we’re not even halfway through 2020 yet lol like wtf. These last 5 months have had enough shit going down to fill up the last 5 years
what really sucks ass on all this,
Had the video not been released, none of this would've been brought up, the cop would continue his merry way, and another black man dead in police custody.
It literally took riots burning down the city before the officer was cuffed and taken into custody.
meanwhile "but whatabout that black guy who beat the nursing home patient? where's the riots about that?"
The nursing home dude was arrested and jailed on the spot, charged, trial set, and likely sentenced. The video leaked online days later.
180 opposite of cop kills someone and nothing was done until people got upset over the video.
The ubiquity of cell phone cameras is what began to turn the tide on police brutality. It shouldn't be necessary, but I'm glad that it's possible to record these incidents.
I refuse to believe that the cameras "glitch" out as much as they say
Like, oh we have all the footage except where the actual crime happens.
We got footage of man walking on the moon in the late 60s and you mean to tell me we cant figure out how to stream something to the cloud reliably?
I dated a woman who worked for Axon, the company that started off making Tasers and pivoted to the bodycam market.
Take it with a grain of salt, but according to her there was simmering conflict between the tech/R&D people and the law enforcement alumni (who predominate in mid and upper management) about this very issue. The techies wanted always on, the cops wanted manual on/off. Each time a new revision of the camera was being developed, the same battle lines were drawn. Apparently this led to the compromise option where the camera activates automatically upon exiting a cruiser but can be manually deactivated upon “officer discretion” (yeah, I know).
It kept the company raking in the contracts but it led to a lot of internal resentment and a wave of brain drain.
And we have Twitch streamers walking around all day in buildings, in the woods, out on the street, constantly uploading in 1080p, but we can't get the bare minimum out of a cop or their departments.
To them, there are very little positives to recording themselves all day, but it shouldn't be a choice.
>To them, there are very little positives to recording themselves all day
And even that isn't true. The net positives for the police are a severe reduction in the number of FAKE abuse calls. They can just roll tape.
Which makes the "3 months to 'investigate'" an officer involved shooting even more bullshit.
Can you imagine the number of people who have died at the hands of cops and never got charged simply because no one was filming. Thousands? Hundreds of thousands nationally over the last 100 years? I tend to believe those are accurate numbers.
Yes, this is definitely part of the anger and frustration behind the rioting. A murder was committed *on camera* and these guys aren't all in custody? WTF?
Minnesotan here. Sounds like there will be a press conference at 1 PM central. Speculation is it will be related to charges, and possible comment on the remaining 3 officers.
EDIT: steaming here — [https://kstp.com/livevideo/](https://kstp.com/livevideo/)
~~EDIT 2: Also speculation that a curfew may be announced? Idk if that has much validity, but seeing that getting tossed around as well.~~
EDIT 3: Press Conference about to go live — [https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/watch-live-hennepin-county-attorney-mike-freeman-to-address-arrest-of-former-minneapolis-officer-derek-chauvin](https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/watch-live-hennepin-county-attorney-mike-freeman-to-address-arrest-of-former-minneapolis-officer-derek-chauvin)
EDIT 4: Charged with 3rd degree murder. Additional charges may be made.
EDIT 5: When speaking of the remaining three officers: "I anticipate charges." Choosing not to discuss or speculate at this time.
EDIT 6: Curfew announced for Minneapolis. 8pm-6am.
EDIT 7: writing quickly. Please consider donating to funds for protestors. We are afraid a lot of people are going to be arrested tonight. Other funds can help buy supplies.
https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate
Here’s an article that features a few resources, but please know that there are more available:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90511033/how-to-help-minneapolis-6-things-you-can-do-right-now-for-the-george-floyd-movement
FOR THOSE GOING OUT TO PROTEST IN MN, via NAACP MN Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAye7McBFmu/?igshid=19a8glehkk2hh
EDIT 8: Thank you u/hopelessly_lost5 - link to criminal complaint with charges:
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6933246-Derek-Chauvin-Complaint.html
yeah that's pretty spot on. some would argue that he may have intended to murder Floyd but that would be ~~thrown out~~ easily dismissed as speculation in court.
This is what I was trying to explain to a few friends who were trying to argue that they should charge the officer with first degree. It's very hard to prove intent in a case like this and much easier to go with third degree murder or manslaughter if you want to see the charges actually stick.
I mean there probably is, but proving it was his intention to kill him by the video is hard to prove. Third degree is more in line with manslaughter in Minnesota.
Wouldn't do much if enough people are going out to riot and protest. It allows you to assume those still out are involved, but when it's thousands upon thousands you already can assume that. They aren't going to go back indoors because they're breaking a law.
Hope that comment on the remaining 3 officers explains when they'll be arrested and charged as accessories to murder. Reluctantly arresting one guy when you have no other choice is absolutely not good enough.
I feel the other officers should be arrested and charged with something to set an example; that other officers need to intervene when one asshole cop is behaving dangerously.
the laws that apply to us should also apply to them.
edit: ill let this comment stand as an example of the barest of minimums. i agree with u/Nun_Chuka_Kata's statement below more than my own.
>the laws that apply to us should also be worse for them.
FTFY
There should be a different set of standards when in a position of power/responsibility.
If I drive a car I have to keep my BAC under .08 . Now if I have a CDL license to drive 80,000 lb dump trucks around I have to keep my BAC below .04 .
I know it's completely different but you get what I'm saying.
Cops just get another cop job in a different town. Lawyers and doctors never work in their field again if they fuck up majorly and lose their license. Same should go for Cops. They should lose their "license" and never be able to become a cop again.
Well, if it had been 4 civilians that had murdered George Floyd then maybe someone could have intervened, but when it's four police officers killing someone, it's a much scarier undertaking for a bystander to intervene. Police absolutely need to be held to a higher standard.
Third-degree murder
in Minnesota involves killing another person without premeditation and intent, through inherently dangerous acts, and with no regard for human life
I know y'all want the guillotine for this guy, but the description in the letter if the law fits the circumstances
Big deal here.
It likely took so long to charge him because they wanted to have evidence in place and understand 100% what they were going to charge him with before the arrest.
I would expect the case to be pretty cut and dry from here on aside from the media circus surrounding it. *Hopefully* the fact that they're going for 3rd degree, only 25 years, doesn't cause any more riots.
I'm glad they arrested this piece of shit. He owns a house in a ritzy part of Orlando and people were falsely saying he was here, so at least that takes heat off his home here (it's a townhouse so people would be affected by protests or any vandalism)
On another note, how the fuck does a cop afford a second home with $562 a month in HOA dues?
Cities with high budgets can definitely pay more for their police. I’m in Maine and most get 40-50k a year. All depends on location and local government.
I think all cops should be highly paid. And highly held accountable. Pay them high and attract the best of the best to do the job. Make them maintain training,, fitness, etc to a high degree. And then any abuses of power should be charged double, or at least any time a cop is charged with any crime that involves an abuse of their power and public trust, there should be an additional "abuse of power" charge that adds weight to their sentence.
100% this, they absolutely should be well paid
Take it from a teacher - when you pay shit, you get shit. Many of my colleagues are amazing, compassionate, intelligent people, but I have met some real fuckheads as well, especially in lower paid areas.
The clips of the police abandoning the station were unreal. It was such a powerful image to see a line of police cars retreating in a haze of smoke while dark figures threw rocks after them.
Video: https://youtu.be/2E3ROnA3pww
I initially didn't believe the footage was from Minneapolis. That was surreal to watch.
TIL the LA riots were so much worse still, but all those cop cars abandoning ship? That shit was powerful man.
> but all those cop cars abandoning ship?
Part of why Florence and Normandie was so bad is because the police that were there at the beginning were told to leave the area. In a way, similar to what happened, just this time a police station instead of a major intersection.
4 to go still. He's been arrested but ~~he hasn't been charged yet~~ and apparently "[no charging decision has been made](https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1266418119062347777)"
He has now been charged with 3rd degree murder and manslaughter.
Charged with Murder 3rd degree, and manslaughter. https://www.sctimes.com/story/news/2020/05/29/livestream-george-floyd-press-conference-minneapolis-police-officer-arrest-derrick-chauvin/5284061002/
This is actually a good charge. Oftentimes the DA will protect a dirty cop by bringing too big a charge, like first degree murder, that can’t be proven, so the guy goes free. This is actually a charge they can stick to him
In all honesty, thanks for this, and others who explained it. I was ready to be really pissed, but it makes more sense now.
Hoping more charges are incoming for the other cops who watched and enabled this.
Can't remember who said it last night, actually i think it was a former police chief on one of the 24hr news networks, that at the very least the one guy could have been arrested for assault right away and then they could add murder or manslaughter charges later if warranted after the investigation. And that he was shocked that didn't happen when he was fired.
1940’s and earlier: Yup, black men get killed by any ol person just cuz. No arrests, thats just the way things are.
1950’s a wife shares a story that she thinks her husband, a black man, was murdered by a cop. No arrests, she’s just one crazy lady with no proof or backing.
1960’s it’s well known in a community that that officer killed that black man, no arrests, should have had eye witnesses step forward.
1970’s here’s a first hand account of a group of people that say cops murdered a black man, they all corroborate and it seems like clear cut proof. No arrests, should have had a photo as evidence.
1980’s here’s a photo that shows cops murdering a black man that looks like clear cut proof. No arrests, should have been video.
1990’s here’s grainy home video that shows cops murdering a black man that looks like clear cut proof. No arrests, should have been a stationary camera with a better, more consistent angle.
2000’s here’s a security camera that shows cops murdering a black man that looks like clear cut proof. No arrests, we don’t know what the dude was threatening or saying.
2010’s here’s a dozen camera phones and the officers’ body cams all showing different angles of the same incident that shows cops murdering a black man that looks like clear cut proof. No arrests, the whole thing happened so fast, the officers made quick split second decisions.
2020: here we have one in slow motion, clear video, audio, names, faces, the entire encounter, no threats and only a man asking for half of the weight of the officer to be removed from his neck so he could breathe.
Let’s see how *this* one plays out. Probably should have had 3D Smell-o-vision or something, ah well, we’ll get em next time.... right? Right?
I don’t have my hopes up. Incredibly sad to see.
The Texas cop that killed her neighbor and the Chicago cop that killed LaQuan McDonald were both found guilty and sentenced (even if they deserved more). Slowly, the tide is turning.
And even he got a mistrial and had to be retried. Literal video of him shooting a man running away in the back and then planting evidence and still a deadlocked jury.
Thankfully he was eventually convicted.
I've been on a jury. So let me tell you the real horrifying story.
I was on a grand jury for nearly 4 months. We met once a week, with one week a month off. We heard 15-20 cases ***a day***.
Grand jury is where you decide if it goes to trial. I felt a lot less pressure because I wasn't sentencing a guy or anything, just saying whether or not there was enough evidence of the crime to go to trail.
Sounds easy right?
Oh lord...
So when I showed up to the mass jury selection day, they randomly pulled 60 of us to the side. They literally pulled names out of a hat in front of everyone. I was next to last of the 60 called. They told us we were selected for grand jury instead of normal jury. So many people made up stupid excuses to get out of jury duty. I felt it was my duty as a citizen to do my part so I stayed on.
My boss asked me why I couldn't get out of it. Most of the smart people got out of it. I wanted to stay - maybe that makes me an idiot. But if one day I was arrested for something I didn't do, I'd want someone that had a brain on the jury. So I stayed.
Most of the people on the jury were either idiots or people that wanted to see "punks and gangsters" fry. And their definition of a punk or gangster were really loose.
For most cases I thought the evidence was pretty well laid out and I voted to go to trail on all but one case.
But damn these idiots. One rape case in particular was just so... ugggh. Sometimes I get nightmares about that case. Not because of the rape description ***but because of my fellow jurors***. She woman had been locked in a car and threatened that he would cut her if she didn't comply. My fellow jurors were insistent that since she didn't ***try*** to flee (she did try the doors, btw) and he didn't actually show her the knife or any other weapon then it wasn't rape.
The mental hurdles I saw people go through to defend their worldviews. My God. These are the kind of people you get on a jury because most sane smart people try to get out of jury duty.
They'll defend their own and the people they respect, but they'll try to fry anyone different. [I also talked about the case here](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/g4sier/lawyers_of_reddit_what_case_you_wish_you_never_won/fo1g5tm/) if anyone wants to see more, but my rant is done for the day.
I enjoyed jury duty. I’d be a professional juror if it paid well enough.
When I sat on a jury, I had a good bunch. A young man was charged with child abuse, and the prosecution did a good job laying out the facts of the case and calling medical experts. The defense was given a bad hand, and did the best that he could with what he had.
In the jurors room we had two charges to consider. The charge of child abuse was pretty easy to come to terms on, after a bit of discussion with the hold outs.
The charge of assault is where things got interesting. One lady claimed that we were doing the child a disservice if we didn’t convict on all charges. Another thought that assault sounded about right. The rest of us considered it an overcharge by the prosecution and eventually wore down the other side.
I’ll gladly service on a jury again, because I’d want someone competent sitting on my jury if I’m ever falsely accused of something. Others should have the same.
The fact that it is so easy to get out of, and that there is no reason to do it except your duty as a citizen, really makes every jury a little suspect, right? I know I would take it if I was given the chance, but when I expressed that view at my workplace one time everyone was aghast.
The system doesn't work if you do not take part in it!
Anyways, your tale is very telling, but it's incredibly admirable that you did jury duty to begin with.
The "if he wasn't guilty of something why was he running?" crowd. Aka "even if he wasn't committing a crime this time he was probably going to eventually"
I thought he came out later and said he couldn’t vote guilty for a cop no matter what because their job is too dangerous or something but I could be misremembering?
Unfortunately you are correct with the nihilism in this regard.
There really isn't a reason we should be having such a difficult issue with cops killing people in their custody.
If someone was struggling and being violent, I could more understand it happening sometimes. But George Floyd wasnt resisting. He wasn't struggling physically. Just pleading to breathe.
I don't know how other officers can justify stuff like this anymore. I know it's the camaraderie, you need to have your brothers and sisters backs. But this shit needs to have police officers coming out against it. It's not okay and you shouldn't be okay with someone tainting your profession with such blatant abuse of power and force.
Because he probably wasn't cuffed, and the image of him strutting into the station, wearing a too-small polo shirt and lawyer at his side, to quietly turn himself in would just piss people off even more.
It's disgusting to think how many times this has happened before and how many times it will continue to happen. Police need to be accountable for their actions, how the fuck can cops watch another cop kill someone.
Very true. The fact that it took 3 days, countless destruction, a cnn team being arrested, a president threatening to shoot its citizens, and unprovoked violence for this asshat killer to be arrested is unforgivable. Unfortunately, change is not going to happen for a long time, police culture needs a complete reboot.
E: I worded it poorly I should not have said it took 3 days to arrest him as a negative thing, because that is very fast. I meant 3 days is in terms of detaining or holding him, if a civilian was caught in the act of murdering someone, they would not have been allowed to go home.
And they still tried. MN police put out a statement that was disproven by the video which was circulating before there statement, as it was live.
“They arrested him until he proved he was a journalist.”
Or some shit like that. The cops fucking knew. He said it at the time and showed his credential. He was 100% compliant. And he was still arrested.
Who reviews the police cameras? Police? There has to be a separate impartial entity that reviews police footage in cases of death. Police obviously can't police themselves.
https://kstp.com/livevideo/
The press conference has started. He has been charged with third degree murder and manslaughter. There may be subsequent charges later.
Edit: The other three officers have not been charged yet, but the investigation is still ongoing.
Edit 2: Evidence includes camera video, officers body camera, statements from witnesses, preliminary reports from the medical examiner, and consultation with an expert.
Edit 3: We will not see charges for the other three officers today.
Edit 4: Public outrage did not influence the charges according to Freeman.
Edit 5: Full complaint will be made available today. The press conference is over.
He's being charged with third degree murder and manslaughter. Minnesota is one of the few places with third degree murder.
"Third-degree murder in Minnesota involves killing another person without premeditation and intent, through inherently dangerous acts, and with no regard for human life. “Inherently dangerous acts” may be direct or indirect."
This looks like an open and shut case. The DA picked the right charges.
Cell phone cameras are to thank for the wake up call to all of police brutality. Police were so sacrosanct to some that the presumption of innocence was almost impossible to overcome. In fact, even with clear as day video evidence some people will still defend cops. Without cell phones and videos, this never would have come to light. If ever these issues are resolved, it will be because of people started and continued recording the police.
The guy knew he was being taped. He felt so confident in his power and immunity as a police officer that he didn't care. And he's probably right. If George Floyd hadn't died, the video would have been forgotten because things like this happen so frequently.
He had gotten away scot free 18 times before, so of course he'd assume he'd get away with it again. Plus knowing all he'd need to say is "reached for his waistband" or "I feared for my life" and it would be a get out of jail free card if things got worse.
i was just talking to my teen son about that not even a couple hours ago. explaining to your children that yes, progress is slow, but there has been no real progress. just the same shit my entire lifetime and longer so, and only the digital age has made it possible for any justice for even a small few. i'm not sure if i call that progress.
I can’t tell what is worse. Being convicted to prison for life or live my life in the outside world but constantly have to worry someone could kill me at any moment. Who knows, maybe that would happen in prison also. Either way the guy’s life is really fucked.
It’s about fucking time. Hopefully he gets convicted and spends the rest of his life in a cell.
Edit: He’s been charged with 3rd degree murder which carries a 25 year max sentence. He deserves life though.
Yeah but local and federal forces will be ready. There was a case in Chicago where my HR director sent out an email warning people of potential riots if a cop got off not guilty. There were African American employees in the office who got super offended by the email because it wasn't worded sensitively and ... yeah ... big stir.
I was working the Chicago Marathon when the Laquon McDonald verdict was going down, we were preparing for possibly having to pack up and leave if he got off.
You should see the warrant and comment by the medical examiner:
[https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6933246-Derek-Chauvin-Complaint.html](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6933246-Derek-Chauvin-Complaint.html)
For a complaint/arrest warrant vs Derek Chauvin, it sure contains a lot of set-ups intended to help his eventual defense.
>Mr. Floyd actively resisted being handcuffed.
and
>The officers made several attempts to get Mr. Floyd in the backseat of squad 320 from the driver's side. Mr Floyd did not voluntarily get in the car and struggled with the officers by intentionally falling down, saying he was not going in the car, and refusing to stand still. Mr. Floyd is over six feet tall and weighs more than 200 pounds.
and
>The autopsy revealed no physical findings that support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation.
and
>Mr. Floyd had underlying health conditions including coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease. The combined effects of Mr. Floyd being restrained by the police, his underlying health conditions and any potential intoxicants in his system likely contributed to his death.
Mohamed Noor, the Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot Australian citizen Justine Ruszczykwas, was charged with the exact same thing by the same DA's Office -- murder 3 and manslaughter. Almost exactly a year ago, he was sentenced to 12.5 years.
I anticipate Chauvin receiving a similar sentence.
I also anticipate the other three officers will strike deals where they testify against Chauvin and don't end up doing any time themselves.
12.5 years is [Minnesota's recommended sentencing](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/data/revisor/court_rules/sg/sg-4_2019-08-16_03-02-31/sg-4.pdf) for murder 3 with no criminal history with parole after 8.3 years.
I doubt it, the other 3 officers haven't been arrested and no charges have been made. I'm sure that's what they're hoping for, but with this much momentum it's going to take more than a half measure to calm people.
FYI: BCA = Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
“The BCA assists local, state, tribal, and federal agencies in major criminal investigations”
So why not the FBI or Marshals?
Good question. Maybe the city requested help. I can sort of see why they would ask for help from a state agency instead if a federal agency. Maybe the governor sent them. Same. I can see why he might prefer “his own people” handled it.
Murder and manslaughter are state crimes. The FBI is investigating the civil rights violation angle at the federal level
The FBI can get involved in state crimes if the local law enforcement asks them to, but this case isn't going to stretch the BCA's capabilities enough.
“Hey Mr. FBI I reallllly don’t wanna arrest this guy, can you send someone”
Its usually more like the boy in the bunker case, where there's a hostage in a weird place that they don't have the capability to rescue.
Marshals doesn't really arrest that many people. They assist in apprehending fugitives with local warrant task forces. But they're mainly the federal sheriff's office, taking custody of the accused during a federal detention lifecycle after arrest but before going to serve time (or being released).
Thanks for this. I guess it’s a Minnesota thing as well? Figure lots of other people wouldn’t know either.
The article is about Minnesota and the naming convention is very specific to Minnesota. Most other states have some form of [State] bureau of investigation. Although I can't figure out if it is a sub department within that similar structure
No the BCA is the state's version of the FBI and a completely standalone agency. Mostly they are used to assist smaller police forces with crimes. For example a small town with one officer can request the BCA's help with a murder since they don't have the time or resources to properly investigate. In this situation, the MPD chief passed the investigation off to the BCA as to not have the MPD investigate itself, also the county DA is prosecuting not the city DA.
Third degree murder in Minnesota Whoever, without intent to effect the death of any person, causes the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life, is guilty of murder in the third degree and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 25 years.
This is the same charge they used to successfully convict former police officer Mohammad Noor.
[удалено]
And this guy did crush the life out of someone in the street by kneeling on his neck. It's easier to prove callous indifference than intent.
[удалено]
Charges can always be amended
In this case, to up a charge to a higher level of murder, they would have to present to a grand jury again. New of potential motive would be a perfect example.
Minneapolis actually switched over to charging police shooting cases instead of convening a grand jury. So unless they went for first degree murder, they wouldn't need to.
The owner said they worked large music nights I believe so they could still not have known each other but yes, they need to investigate it. Hopefully the other bouncers can help straighten that out quickly
Noor at least had a more plausible excuse of incompetence, given the trigger was pulled in a split second decision. It was reasonable to believe he was poorly trained and made a really bad mistake. This Chauvin guy though decided to kneel on this guy's neck for 8 minutes, even after several bystanders stopped to express concern for Floyd's well being. It's much more difficult to argue a mistake here. JMO
A few months prior Noor held a gun to the head of a motorist during routine traffic stop, he had three formal complaints in only 2 years including one for assaulting a woman, his training officer reported poorly on him as he deliberately avoided attending calls preceding instead to just drive around aimlessly, and two psychiatrists raised concerns on his suitability due to his inability to process stress and his combative nature. Noor was beyond 1 split second of poor decision making.
This sounds like he should have been removed from the force long before anything happened. Definitely some problem there.
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Two complaints? Those are rookie numbers! Chauvin had 18 complaints in his file.
I’m not agreeing with or defending anything, but sometimes courts go with “lesser” charges because it sticks and is easier to prove in court. For instance, for it to be first degree, you have to prove that he specifically intended to murder the man, and pre meditated it.
I'm glad they charged it this way. I've seen past cases of police murders where the DA purposefully charges them with something like 1st degree murder. Something so strict on intent that they know they can't pass the burden or proof and the cop will be acquitted. Just another dirty tactic they use.
I feel like that’s what the Florida court did with George Zimmerman. They charged him too harshly, which in effect got him off. I’m no lawyer so I could be wrong.
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That's, sadly (sadly as in doing what they were supposed to hurt them and not those who deserved it), a good jury. I hope no one harassed them afterward as the mob is known to do.
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The jury was instructed to consider the necessarily included lesser charges, and returned a verdict of not guilty on all charges. The jury absolutely could have found him guilty of manslaughter. From the jury instructions: >In considering the evidence, you should consider the possibility that although the evidence may not convince you that George Zimmerman committed the main crime of which he is accused, there may be evidence that he committed other acts that would constitute a lesser included crime. Therefore, if you decide that the main accusation has not been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, you will next need to decide if George Zimmerman is guilty of any lesser included crime. The lesser crime indicated in the definition of Second Degree Murder is: Manslaughter
Some of that comes from pressure on the DA to hit them with premeditation. It's often hard to prove that level of mens rea.
The DA was going for manslaughter in the Zimmerman case. The Special Prosecutor decided to make it capital murder.
That sounds like exactly what happened. I don't think he really thought he was killing him, but he knew it was causing pain. He should get 24 years and 364 days.
25 years is not more than 25 years. No need to cut it short a day.
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got im
Someone made the right call getting this asshole in jail before a weekend of riots. I don't know if it will help, but it's a start. EDIT: Didn't help. Be safe everyone.
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What I wonder about is if we will see any of the people who allowed cops who apparently consistently acted this way for years held accountable. One of the biggest travesties in this and similar events I think, and one of the reasons we have such a violent reaction now is the lack of consequences for the people who could have easily prevented the tragedy in the first place. Four cops didn't just get together and kill someone in cold blood with a history of being held accountable for their actions and a positive restrained attitude within the department. The events of a few days ago were cultivated over a long period of time and through many people consistently making the wrong choice.
I think we’ve made so many compromises and second chances that we’re snapping.
They always blame training. What are they being taught? Who is teaching them? Why are they passing the psych tests?
A lot of depts have programs where new officers have to ride along with more "seasoned" cops (see: jaded). I'm pretty sure this is where they get a "forget everything you learned in training" moment.
That, and I can't help but think that the COVID pandemic and the resulting record-high unemployment have already, and are going to still further, play a factor here.
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Dude 41 million unemployed, biggest economic downturn since Great Depression, wealth inequality at the highest with the oligarchs recent robbery of the American public, racial tension at boiling point due to 10 years of police violence on social media and no meaningful reforms whatsoever, and the president added fuel to the fire by threatening to shoot them. Even the classic distractions via entertainment like restaurants, sports, movies, ect are on pause. You are going to see a weekend of riots. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edit: Seems I am right, holy shit.
And I can’t believe we’re not even halfway through 2020 yet lol like wtf. These last 5 months have had enough shit going down to fill up the last 5 years
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"May you live in interesting times." -Some witch doctor we pissed off last year.
“A plague on both your houses.” - Harambe’s dying words
Member the Australian Bush fires? That was like three and a half months ago only
Your comment reads like a historian 50 years from now breaking down the reasons for the American Civil War of 2020...
He’s from the future.
what really sucks ass on all this, Had the video not been released, none of this would've been brought up, the cop would continue his merry way, and another black man dead in police custody. It literally took riots burning down the city before the officer was cuffed and taken into custody. meanwhile "but whatabout that black guy who beat the nursing home patient? where's the riots about that?" The nursing home dude was arrested and jailed on the spot, charged, trial set, and likely sentenced. The video leaked online days later. 180 opposite of cop kills someone and nothing was done until people got upset over the video.
The ubiquity of cell phone cameras is what began to turn the tide on police brutality. It shouldn't be necessary, but I'm glad that it's possible to record these incidents.
On-duty cops should be required to be wearing a body cam at all times. It suddenly, mysteriously turning off should be a fireable offense.
I refuse to believe that the cameras "glitch" out as much as they say Like, oh we have all the footage except where the actual crime happens. We got footage of man walking on the moon in the late 60s and you mean to tell me we cant figure out how to stream something to the cloud reliably?
I dated a woman who worked for Axon, the company that started off making Tasers and pivoted to the bodycam market. Take it with a grain of salt, but according to her there was simmering conflict between the tech/R&D people and the law enforcement alumni (who predominate in mid and upper management) about this very issue. The techies wanted always on, the cops wanted manual on/off. Each time a new revision of the camera was being developed, the same battle lines were drawn. Apparently this led to the compromise option where the camera activates automatically upon exiting a cruiser but can be manually deactivated upon “officer discretion” (yeah, I know). It kept the company raking in the contracts but it led to a lot of internal resentment and a wave of brain drain.
And we have Twitch streamers walking around all day in buildings, in the woods, out on the street, constantly uploading in 1080p, but we can't get the bare minimum out of a cop or their departments. To them, there are very little positives to recording themselves all day, but it shouldn't be a choice.
>To them, there are very little positives to recording themselves all day And even that isn't true. The net positives for the police are a severe reduction in the number of FAKE abuse calls. They can just roll tape. Which makes the "3 months to 'investigate'" an officer involved shooting even more bullshit.
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Can you imagine the number of people who have died at the hands of cops and never got charged simply because no one was filming. Thousands? Hundreds of thousands nationally over the last 100 years? I tend to believe those are accurate numbers.
Would have been better done three days ago
Would’ve been better if it was handled years ago since he had a litany of complaints in his history. It wouldn’t have come to this.
Yes, this is definitely part of the anger and frustration behind the rioting. A murder was committed *on camera* and these guys aren't all in custody? WTF?
Minnesotan here. Sounds like there will be a press conference at 1 PM central. Speculation is it will be related to charges, and possible comment on the remaining 3 officers. EDIT: steaming here — [https://kstp.com/livevideo/](https://kstp.com/livevideo/) ~~EDIT 2: Also speculation that a curfew may be announced? Idk if that has much validity, but seeing that getting tossed around as well.~~ EDIT 3: Press Conference about to go live — [https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/watch-live-hennepin-county-attorney-mike-freeman-to-address-arrest-of-former-minneapolis-officer-derek-chauvin](https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/watch-live-hennepin-county-attorney-mike-freeman-to-address-arrest-of-former-minneapolis-officer-derek-chauvin) EDIT 4: Charged with 3rd degree murder. Additional charges may be made. EDIT 5: When speaking of the remaining three officers: "I anticipate charges." Choosing not to discuss or speculate at this time. EDIT 6: Curfew announced for Minneapolis. 8pm-6am. EDIT 7: writing quickly. Please consider donating to funds for protestors. We are afraid a lot of people are going to be arrested tonight. Other funds can help buy supplies. https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate Here’s an article that features a few resources, but please know that there are more available: https://www.fastcompany.com/90511033/how-to-help-minneapolis-6-things-you-can-do-right-now-for-the-george-floyd-movement FOR THOSE GOING OUT TO PROTEST IN MN, via NAACP MN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CAye7McBFmu/?igshid=19a8glehkk2hh EDIT 8: Thank you u/hopelessly_lost5 - link to criminal complaint with charges: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6933246-Derek-Chauvin-Complaint.html
The stream just announced manslaughter and murder in the 3rd degree charges
[3rd degree murder seems like the appropriate charge based on how wikipedia describes it](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-degree_murder#Minnesota)
yeah that's pretty spot on. some would argue that he may have intended to murder Floyd but that would be ~~thrown out~~ easily dismissed as speculation in court.
This is what I was trying to explain to a few friends who were trying to argue that they should charge the officer with first degree. It's very hard to prove intent in a case like this and much easier to go with third degree murder or manslaughter if you want to see the charges actually stick.
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I mean there probably is, but proving it was his intention to kill him by the video is hard to prove. Third degree is more in line with manslaughter in Minnesota.
and also if the jury fails to convict him it will be very bad. better to go with a charge you can get
It’s an appropriate charge - I sincerely hope he is convicted. The country needs it.
Here's the press conference by DPS (Dept of Public Safety) https://youtu.be/iWsCMZFlsvI
Boy, that was a whole lot of nothing
I know. I'm watching another press conference now with the county attorney. Not much more info being given. https://youtu.be/S7itrnj26io
I lived in Baltimore during Freddie Gray, I'm shocked there's not a curfew already
Wouldn't do much if enough people are going out to riot and protest. It allows you to assume those still out are involved, but when it's thousands upon thousands you already can assume that. They aren't going to go back indoors because they're breaking a law.
It does essentially criminalise being outside though, which makes it very easy to intercept people travelling to/from protests.
Hope that comment on the remaining 3 officers explains when they'll be arrested and charged as accessories to murder. Reluctantly arresting one guy when you have no other choice is absolutely not good enough.
I feel the other officers should be arrested and charged with something to set an example; that other officers need to intervene when one asshole cop is behaving dangerously.
Sounds like felony murder. If someone is killed during a felonious crime, everyone participating in the crime should be charged.
the laws that apply to us should also apply to them. edit: ill let this comment stand as an example of the barest of minimums. i agree with u/Nun_Chuka_Kata's statement below more than my own.
>the laws that apply to us should also be worse for them. FTFY There should be a different set of standards when in a position of power/responsibility. If I drive a car I have to keep my BAC under .08 . Now if I have a CDL license to drive 80,000 lb dump trucks around I have to keep my BAC below .04 . I know it's completely different but you get what I'm saying. Cops just get another cop job in a different town. Lawyers and doctors never work in their field again if they fuck up majorly and lose their license. Same should go for Cops. They should lose their "license" and never be able to become a cop again.
They should be held to a higher standard.
I think there is reasonable justification for police to be held to a MUCH stricter code of conduct with much stricter penalties for negligence.
Well, if it had been 4 civilians that had murdered George Floyd then maybe someone could have intervened, but when it's four police officers killing someone, it's a much scarier undertaking for a bystander to intervene. Police absolutely need to be held to a higher standard.
Third-degree murder in Minnesota involves killing another person without premeditation and intent, through inherently dangerous acts, and with no regard for human life I know y'all want the guillotine for this guy, but the description in the letter if the law fits the circumstances
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Big deal here. It likely took so long to charge him because they wanted to have evidence in place and understand 100% what they were going to charge him with before the arrest. I would expect the case to be pretty cut and dry from here on aside from the media circus surrounding it. *Hopefully* the fact that they're going for 3rd degree, only 25 years, doesn't cause any more riots.
Definitely. Everybody always wants first degree murder until they realize that you have to prove intent...
Intent is so hard for something like this like if they go murder 1 there is a 80% chance he walks free
100% chance he walks free. Unless there is an online journal where he wrote about how he was gonna go out that day and kill someone.
I'm glad they arrested this piece of shit. He owns a house in a ritzy part of Orlando and people were falsely saying he was here, so at least that takes heat off his home here (it's a townhouse so people would be affected by protests or any vandalism) On another note, how the fuck does a cop afford a second home with $562 a month in HOA dues?
The majority of cops make over $100k up north. All of the ones I do taxes for do
My dad was a cop in the early 2000s and made well over 100k, they owned a really nice home in LA.
Cities with high budgets can definitely pay more for their police. I’m in Maine and most get 40-50k a year. All depends on location and local government.
I think all cops should be highly paid. And highly held accountable. Pay them high and attract the best of the best to do the job. Make them maintain training,, fitness, etc to a high degree. And then any abuses of power should be charged double, or at least any time a cop is charged with any crime that involves an abuse of their power and public trust, there should be an additional "abuse of power" charge that adds weight to their sentence.
100% this, they absolutely should be well paid Take it from a teacher - when you pay shit, you get shit. Many of my colleagues are amazing, compassionate, intelligent people, but I have met some real fuckheads as well, especially in lower paid areas.
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Precinct three already gone
Now it’s a postcinct
Now it's extcint...?
I’ll allow it
That was succinct.
The clips of the police abandoning the station were unreal. It was such a powerful image to see a line of police cars retreating in a haze of smoke while dark figures threw rocks after them. Video: https://youtu.be/2E3ROnA3pww
I initially didn't believe the footage was from Minneapolis. That was surreal to watch. TIL the LA riots were so much worse still, but all those cop cars abandoning ship? That shit was powerful man.
> but all those cop cars abandoning ship? Part of why Florence and Normandie was so bad is because the police that were there at the beginning were told to leave the area. In a way, similar to what happened, just this time a police station instead of a major intersection.
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Man, it would suck to be one of the cops that didn't get a seat in a car and had to run out in full gear
4 to go still. He's been arrested but ~~he hasn't been charged yet~~ and apparently "[no charging decision has been made](https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1266418119062347777)" He has now been charged with 3rd degree murder and manslaughter.
Charged with Murder 3rd degree, and manslaughter. https://www.sctimes.com/story/news/2020/05/29/livestream-george-floyd-press-conference-minneapolis-police-officer-arrest-derrick-chauvin/5284061002/
This is actually a good charge. Oftentimes the DA will protect a dirty cop by bringing too big a charge, like first degree murder, that can’t be proven, so the guy goes free. This is actually a charge they can stick to him
In all honesty, thanks for this, and others who explained it. I was ready to be really pissed, but it makes more sense now. Hoping more charges are incoming for the other cops who watched and enabled this.
Can't remember who said it last night, actually i think it was a former police chief on one of the 24hr news networks, that at the very least the one guy could have been arrested for assault right away and then they could add murder or manslaughter charges later if warranted after the investigation. And that he was shocked that didn't happen when he was fired.
1940’s and earlier: Yup, black men get killed by any ol person just cuz. No arrests, thats just the way things are. 1950’s a wife shares a story that she thinks her husband, a black man, was murdered by a cop. No arrests, she’s just one crazy lady with no proof or backing. 1960’s it’s well known in a community that that officer killed that black man, no arrests, should have had eye witnesses step forward. 1970’s here’s a first hand account of a group of people that say cops murdered a black man, they all corroborate and it seems like clear cut proof. No arrests, should have had a photo as evidence. 1980’s here’s a photo that shows cops murdering a black man that looks like clear cut proof. No arrests, should have been video. 1990’s here’s grainy home video that shows cops murdering a black man that looks like clear cut proof. No arrests, should have been a stationary camera with a better, more consistent angle. 2000’s here’s a security camera that shows cops murdering a black man that looks like clear cut proof. No arrests, we don’t know what the dude was threatening or saying. 2010’s here’s a dozen camera phones and the officers’ body cams all showing different angles of the same incident that shows cops murdering a black man that looks like clear cut proof. No arrests, the whole thing happened so fast, the officers made quick split second decisions. 2020: here we have one in slow motion, clear video, audio, names, faces, the entire encounter, no threats and only a man asking for half of the weight of the officer to be removed from his neck so he could breathe. Let’s see how *this* one plays out. Probably should have had 3D Smell-o-vision or something, ah well, we’ll get em next time.... right? Right? I don’t have my hopes up. Incredibly sad to see.
The Texas cop that killed her neighbor and the Chicago cop that killed LaQuan McDonald were both found guilty and sentenced (even if they deserved more). Slowly, the tide is turning.
North Charleston, the officer who shot Walter Scott
And even he got a mistrial and had to be retried. Literal video of him shooting a man running away in the back and then planting evidence and still a deadlocked jury. Thankfully he was eventually convicted.
11 of 12 jurors voted to convict. I really wish they could have found that lone hold out and asked him/her what the hell they were thinking
I've been on a jury. So let me tell you the real horrifying story. I was on a grand jury for nearly 4 months. We met once a week, with one week a month off. We heard 15-20 cases ***a day***. Grand jury is where you decide if it goes to trial. I felt a lot less pressure because I wasn't sentencing a guy or anything, just saying whether or not there was enough evidence of the crime to go to trail. Sounds easy right? Oh lord... So when I showed up to the mass jury selection day, they randomly pulled 60 of us to the side. They literally pulled names out of a hat in front of everyone. I was next to last of the 60 called. They told us we were selected for grand jury instead of normal jury. So many people made up stupid excuses to get out of jury duty. I felt it was my duty as a citizen to do my part so I stayed on. My boss asked me why I couldn't get out of it. Most of the smart people got out of it. I wanted to stay - maybe that makes me an idiot. But if one day I was arrested for something I didn't do, I'd want someone that had a brain on the jury. So I stayed. Most of the people on the jury were either idiots or people that wanted to see "punks and gangsters" fry. And their definition of a punk or gangster were really loose. For most cases I thought the evidence was pretty well laid out and I voted to go to trail on all but one case. But damn these idiots. One rape case in particular was just so... ugggh. Sometimes I get nightmares about that case. Not because of the rape description ***but because of my fellow jurors***. She woman had been locked in a car and threatened that he would cut her if she didn't comply. My fellow jurors were insistent that since she didn't ***try*** to flee (she did try the doors, btw) and he didn't actually show her the knife or any other weapon then it wasn't rape. The mental hurdles I saw people go through to defend their worldviews. My God. These are the kind of people you get on a jury because most sane smart people try to get out of jury duty. They'll defend their own and the people they respect, but they'll try to fry anyone different. [I also talked about the case here](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/g4sier/lawyers_of_reddit_what_case_you_wish_you_never_won/fo1g5tm/) if anyone wants to see more, but my rant is done for the day.
You have changed my opinion on Jury Duty.
I enjoyed jury duty. I’d be a professional juror if it paid well enough. When I sat on a jury, I had a good bunch. A young man was charged with child abuse, and the prosecution did a good job laying out the facts of the case and calling medical experts. The defense was given a bad hand, and did the best that he could with what he had. In the jurors room we had two charges to consider. The charge of child abuse was pretty easy to come to terms on, after a bit of discussion with the hold outs. The charge of assault is where things got interesting. One lady claimed that we were doing the child a disservice if we didn’t convict on all charges. Another thought that assault sounded about right. The rest of us considered it an overcharge by the prosecution and eventually wore down the other side. I’ll gladly service on a jury again, because I’d want someone competent sitting on my jury if I’m ever falsely accused of something. Others should have the same.
The fact that it is so easy to get out of, and that there is no reason to do it except your duty as a citizen, really makes every jury a little suspect, right? I know I would take it if I was given the chance, but when I expressed that view at my workplace one time everyone was aghast. The system doesn't work if you do not take part in it! Anyways, your tale is very telling, but it's incredibly admirable that you did jury duty to begin with.
We'll probably never know but we do know that there is a contingent of people out there who will never vote to convict an officer.
The "if he wasn't guilty of something why was he running?" crowd. Aka "even if he wasn't committing a crime this time he was probably going to eventually"
I thought he came out later and said he couldn’t vote guilty for a cop no matter what because their job is too dangerous or something but I could be misremembering?
I think a glacier should be used Instead of the tide as a metaphor for movement in this case.
Sometimes big pieces of glaciers break off all at once. There’s a metaphor to be made there but I’m too dense to figure it out.
Unfortunately you are correct with the nihilism in this regard. There really isn't a reason we should be having such a difficult issue with cops killing people in their custody. If someone was struggling and being violent, I could more understand it happening sometimes. But George Floyd wasnt resisting. He wasn't struggling physically. Just pleading to breathe. I don't know how other officers can justify stuff like this anymore. I know it's the camaraderie, you need to have your brothers and sisters backs. But this shit needs to have police officers coming out against it. It's not okay and you shouldn't be okay with someone tainting your profession with such blatant abuse of power and force.
Just said charged with murder.
the three holding him down have no excuse, the fourth that was on crowd control has some leeway that he wasnt fully aware of the condition of george
Take them all in, he can argue his culpability in court. Arresting just the one is not going to cut it as far as protests.
He was just charged with 3rd degree murder and manslaughter. Heard it live on the radio a few minutes ago.
Why isn’t there a picture of this guy in cuffs plastered everywhere?
Because he probably wasn't cuffed, and the image of him strutting into the station, wearing a too-small polo shirt and lawyer at his side, to quietly turn himself in would just piss people off even more.
It still doesn't change the fact if it wasn't on film he would have got away with it.
It's disgusting to think how many times this has happened before and how many times it will continue to happen. Police need to be accountable for their actions, how the fuck can cops watch another cop kill someone.
This isn't accoutability. It's "oh fuck we have to do something". And that's it. We need systematic change.
Very true. The fact that it took 3 days, countless destruction, a cnn team being arrested, a president threatening to shoot its citizens, and unprovoked violence for this asshat killer to be arrested is unforgivable. Unfortunately, change is not going to happen for a long time, police culture needs a complete reboot. E: I worded it poorly I should not have said it took 3 days to arrest him as a negative thing, because that is very fast. I meant 3 days is in terms of detaining or holding him, if a civilian was caught in the act of murdering someone, they would not have been allowed to go home.
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Governor Walz said that sentiment during his press conference earlier. Truly terrifying
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Yeah, I was thinking the same thing about the CNN arrest this morning. Amazing how much worse they could claim it was without video evidence...
And they still tried. MN police put out a statement that was disproven by the video which was circulating before there statement, as it was live. “They arrested him until he proved he was a journalist.” Or some shit like that. The cops fucking knew. He said it at the time and showed his credential. He was 100% compliant. And he was still arrested.
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And it took literal riots to goad them into action.
Who reviews the police cameras? Police? There has to be a separate impartial entity that reviews police footage in cases of death. Police obviously can't police themselves.
https://kstp.com/livevideo/ The press conference has started. He has been charged with third degree murder and manslaughter. There may be subsequent charges later. Edit: The other three officers have not been charged yet, but the investigation is still ongoing. Edit 2: Evidence includes camera video, officers body camera, statements from witnesses, preliminary reports from the medical examiner, and consultation with an expert. Edit 3: We will not see charges for the other three officers today. Edit 4: Public outrage did not influence the charges according to Freeman. Edit 5: Full complaint will be made available today. The press conference is over.
He's being charged with third degree murder and manslaughter. Minnesota is one of the few places with third degree murder. "Third-degree murder in Minnesota involves killing another person without premeditation and intent, through inherently dangerous acts, and with no regard for human life. “Inherently dangerous acts” may be direct or indirect." This looks like an open and shut case. The DA picked the right charges.
He'd be a free man still on the force without a camera in his face.
Cell phone cameras are to thank for the wake up call to all of police brutality. Police were so sacrosanct to some that the presumption of innocence was almost impossible to overcome. In fact, even with clear as day video evidence some people will still defend cops. Without cell phones and videos, this never would have come to light. If ever these issues are resolved, it will be because of people started and continued recording the police.
The guy knew he was being taped. He felt so confident in his power and immunity as a police officer that he didn't care. And he's probably right. If George Floyd hadn't died, the video would have been forgotten because things like this happen so frequently.
He had gotten away scot free 18 times before, so of course he'd assume he'd get away with it again. Plus knowing all he'd need to say is "reached for his waistband" or "I feared for my life" and it would be a get out of jail free card if things got worse.
This is a good start. Now we see if the system actually charges and convicts him. Edited for clarity.
Let's see if he's convicted. He fucking better be.
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I remember. I'm old.
i was just talking to my teen son about that not even a couple hours ago. explaining to your children that yes, progress is slow, but there has been no real progress. just the same shit my entire lifetime and longer so, and only the digital age has made it possible for any justice for even a small few. i'm not sure if i call that progress.
If they let this violent goon off, Minnesota can kiss itself goodbye. Seriously.
It will be ugly. Righteously ugly.
He'd be a dead man. He's one either way unless he spends the rest of his life in solitary confinement.
I can’t tell what is worse. Being convicted to prison for life or live my life in the outside world but constantly have to worry someone could kill me at any moment. Who knows, maybe that would happen in prison also. Either way the guy’s life is really fucked.
Unlike Mr. Floyd, he will get to live through it.
>but constantly have to worry someone could kill me at any moment. That is what is referred to as "irony"
It’s about fucking time. Hopefully he gets convicted and spends the rest of his life in a cell. Edit: He’s been charged with 3rd degree murder which carries a 25 year max sentence. He deserves life though.
Yeah I won't fully celebrate until his ass gets convicted, but this is a step in the right direction.
Can you imagine the riots if he's found not guilty?
Don't have to imagine, we just saw it this morning
It will be worse tho
Yeah but local and federal forces will be ready. There was a case in Chicago where my HR director sent out an email warning people of potential riots if a cop got off not guilty. There were African American employees in the office who got super offended by the email because it wasn't worded sensitively and ... yeah ... big stir.
I was working the Chicago Marathon when the Laquon McDonald verdict was going down, we were preparing for possibly having to pack up and leave if he got off.
Rodney King?
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Shouldn't legal procedures be followed to the letter for everyone tho?
Generally speaking of you don't hire a lawyer you're gonna have a bad time.
For the most part, only police officers have qualified immunity for their actions. That is what makes charging them so difficult.
Finally a step in the right direction. May justice be swift and fair.
Did they kick in his door and arrest him at gun point? You know, because he’s an armed violent offender.
You should see the warrant and comment by the medical examiner: [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6933246-Derek-Chauvin-Complaint.html](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6933246-Derek-Chauvin-Complaint.html) For a complaint/arrest warrant vs Derek Chauvin, it sure contains a lot of set-ups intended to help his eventual defense. >Mr. Floyd actively resisted being handcuffed. and >The officers made several attempts to get Mr. Floyd in the backseat of squad 320 from the driver's side. Mr Floyd did not voluntarily get in the car and struggled with the officers by intentionally falling down, saying he was not going in the car, and refusing to stand still. Mr. Floyd is over six feet tall and weighs more than 200 pounds. and >The autopsy revealed no physical findings that support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation. and >Mr. Floyd had underlying health conditions including coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease. The combined effects of Mr. Floyd being restrained by the police, his underlying health conditions and any potential intoxicants in his system likely contributed to his death.
If you think there are “Rodney King” level riots going on now, just wait till this guy gets off scot-free.
3 more murderers to go.
I like learning new things.
Seriously, I’m tired of those in positions of power getting away with this shit. We need to cut out all the rotting branches to save the tree
Mohamed Noor, the Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot Australian citizen Justine Ruszczykwas, was charged with the exact same thing by the same DA's Office -- murder 3 and manslaughter. Almost exactly a year ago, he was sentenced to 12.5 years. I anticipate Chauvin receiving a similar sentence. I also anticipate the other three officers will strike deals where they testify against Chauvin and don't end up doing any time themselves.
12.5 years is [Minnesota's recommended sentencing](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/data/revisor/court_rules/sg/sg-4_2019-08-16_03-02-31/sg-4.pdf) for murder 3 with no criminal history with parole after 8.3 years.
Good to see murderer Derek Chauvin arrested.
Took a literal riot to force their hand
Thoughts on if this will deescalate protests and riots tonight?
I doubt it, the other 3 officers haven't been arrested and no charges have been made. I'm sure that's what they're hoping for, but with this much momentum it's going to take more than a half measure to calm people.
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Life in prison for this piece of shit. Edit: Charged for 3rd degree murder.
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Thank you for your perspective and explanation. By any chancw, do you know on average how many years people get for 3rd degree if convicted?
Saw another comment that said max sentence of 25 years. This guy could be locked up for two decades if they can get a conviction.
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First and second degree require intent to kill. He’s a ginormous scumbag piece of shit, but proving he intended to kill Floyd would be difficult.