The mugshots of former police officers Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng have been released, along with a new mugshot of Derek Chauvin.
Thoa, Lane, and Kueng are now being held at Hennepin County Jail, while Chauvin has been transferred to Oak Park Heights Correctional Facility. The bail for all four officers have been set at $1 million each.
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Following word from George Floyd family attorney Ben Crump that he had received notice the remaining officers involved in Floyd’s murder would also be charged, more information has arrived.
New charges were reported Wednesday against since-fired Minneapolis Police Department officers Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng. The three are being charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder, per the Star Tribune.
Derek Chauvin was previously announced as having been arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Now, per the Tribune‘s report on the investigation helmed by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Chauvin’s murder charge has been elevated to second-degree.
Earlier this week, Ellison was asked by MSNBC‘s Stephanie Ruhle about the charges against Chauvin, which many have argued are not severe enough given the circumstances. After breaking down the degrees of murder and declining to say whether or not he was “comfortable” with third-degree for Chauvin, Ellison noted that he and his team were still reviewing evidence.
“And we are going to charge this case in a manner consistent with the highest level of accountability that the facts and the law will support,” he said at the time. Prior to this weekend, the investigation and prosecution was being led by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
Ahead of Wednesday’s announcement, many across the globe—including Drake—called for all involved officers to be met with charges reflective of their despicable actions:
Drake speaks out before an announcement is made on potential charges for the other three cops involved in George Floyd’s killing #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) June 3, 2020
“[the decision] better reflect the cries and outrage of the people” pic.twitter.com/8fJyiWbUaS
Floyd’s family also reacted via their attorney, Benjamin Crump.
FAMILY’S REACTION: This is a bittersweet moment. We are deeply gratified that @AGEllison took decisive action, arresting & charging ALL the officers involved in #GeorgeFloyd‘s death & upgrading the charge against Derek Chauvin to felony second-degree murder. #JusticeForGeorge pic.twitter.com/jTfXFHpsYl
— Benjamin Crump, Esq. (@AttorneyCrump) June 3, 2020
In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, a truly inspiring amount of protests have remained ongoing worldwide.