Judge allows third-degree murder charge against officer on trial in George Floyd’s death

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) – A Minnesota judge agreed on Thursday to allow prosecutors to reinstate an additional charge of third-degree murder against Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who is on trial for last year’s deadly arrest of George Floyd. The reinstatement of a third-degree murder charge was a victory for state prosecutors.

Judge Peter Cahill’s decision comes after the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled on Friday that he must reconsider a third-degree murder charge against 44-year-old Chauvin, whose trial got underway with jury selection this week in Minneapolis.

“I have to follow the rule that the court of appeals has put in place,” Cahill said.

The decision was welcomed by prosecutors in the Minnesota attorney general’s office who are seeking something rare in the United States — the conviction of a white police officer for killing a Black man.

The trial of Chauvin began with jury selection this week, where he already faces a more serious charge of second-degree murder, which carries a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, as well as a charge of second-degree manslaughter.