Attorney General Ellison: Ruling in Floyd case ‘important, positive step forward in the path toward justice’

Court sustains eight of out nine total charges against defendants in murder of George Floyd

October 22, 2020 (SAINT PAUL) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison released the following statement today upon the ruling of Hennepin County District Court to sustain eight of the nine total charges against the four defendants in the death of George Floyd:  

“The court has sustained eight out of nine charges against the defendants in the murder of George Floyd, including the most serious charges against all four defendants. This means that all four defendants will stand trial for murder and manslaughter, both in the second degree. This is an important, positive step forward in the path toward justice for George Floyd, his family, our community, and Minnesota. We look forward to presenting the prosecution’s case to a jury in Hennepin County.  

“The court’s decision to dismiss just one of the lesser charges against just one of the defendants — while leaving intact all the charges against the other three defendants — is based on how appellate courts have interpreted the statute in question. We are considering our options in light of the court's strong order on the remaining charges.”    

The following charges against the following defendants were sustained:  

• Derek Chauvin: Second-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter 
• J. Alexander Kueng: Aiding and abetting second-degree murder, aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter 
• Thomas Lane: Aiding and abetting second-degree murder, aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter 
• Tou Thao: Aiding and abetting second-degree murder, aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter 

The following charge against the following defendant was dismissed:  

• Derek Chauvin: Third-degree murder