Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz, has announced on Sunday, May 31, that Keith Ellison, who is the attorney general of the state, will be leading the prosecutions in connection to the death of George Floyd.
The sought-after justice news for George Floyd follows an intense week of protests in 75 cities across the United States. The ongoing demonstration is with respect to the police killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor took a chaotic and catastrophic turn, as police were seen shooting tear-gas at protesters in Minneapolis, driving vehicles through crowds in Brooklyn, beating men and women with batons in Los Angeles and tasering a Black couple in Atlanta trying to make it to their home.
The accused, Derek Chauvin, who was the Minneapolis police officer recorded in a cellphone video with his knee on the neck of George Floyd while attempting to apprehend him and inadvertently causing his death, was arrested on May 29, and have been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. This was announced by Minnesota attorney Mike Freeman.
He was reportedly taken into custody by the Minneapolis Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
“We felt it appropriate to focus on the most dangerous perpetrator,” said Freeman. “We have never charged a case in that kind of time frame and we can only charge a case when we have evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.”
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Walz’s decision to have Ellison take the lead comes after requests from activists, some City Council members and a civil rights group.
Ellison confirmed the news via Twitter, writing, “It with a large degree of humility and a great seriousness, I accept for my office the responsibility for leadership on this critical case involving the killing of George Floyd.”
He continued, “We are going to bring to bear all the resources necessary to achieve justice in this case.”
In a press conference today, Walz also said he received a call from the rapper, Jay-Z, who raised protesters’ demand that all four officers involved in Floyd’s murder face justice.
Walz said to FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, “It was so incredibly human. It was a dad—and I think quite honestly a Black man whose visceral pain of this that he knew. His words summarized that justice needs to be served here. He said he feels the compassion and the humanity of these folks who are speaking,” Walz said. “He knows the world is watching, and how Minnesota handles this is going to have an impact across the country. It’s a positive sign that someone of a stature, that has a presence like that, is focused in the moment of what Minnesotas are focused on.”
The other three officers seen in the video of the fatal police encounter, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng have all been fired, but yet to be charged in connection with Floyd’s death.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed by ABC News affiliate KTRK-TV, that the body of George Floyd will be laid to rest in his hometown of Houston. “This is our house. This is the same city that George Floyd grew up. And his body will be returning to this city. To his city,” Houston’s mayor Sylvester Turner announced Saturday (May 30).
Also, it has been reported that Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver the eulogy. Additional details about the funeral arrangements for the 46-year-old are forthcoming.
Floyd’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign that raised $5.92 million by Sunday (May 31) from more than 236,000 donors.
“This fund is established to cover funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist our family in the days to come as we continue to seek justice for George. A portion of these funds will also go to the Estate of George Floyd for the benefit and care of his children and their educational fund,” a statement on the page says.
