‘Federal prosecution for the violation of George Floyd’s civil rights is entirely appropriate’

AG Ellison issues statement upon federal indictment of defendants Chauvin, Kueng, Lane, and Thao for allegedly violating civil rights of George Floyd

May 7, 2021 (SAINT PAUL) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison today issued the following statement upon the announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice that it is pursuing the criminal prosecution of defendants Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao for allegedly violating the civil rights of George Floyd: 

“The federal government has a responsibility to protect the civil rights of every American and to pursue justice to the fullest extent of federal law. Federal prosecution for the violation of George Floyd’s civil rights is entirely appropriate, particularly now that Derek Chauvin has been convicted of murder under Minnesota law for the death of George Floyd. The State is planning to present our case against the other three defendants to another jury in Hennepin County later this summer.” 

This statement constitutes the entirety of Attorney General Ellison’s comment on the federal prosecution at this time.