Three officers charged in death of George Floyd, Chauvin's charge increased

The three Minneapolis police officers who were on the scene with Derek Chauvin as he knelt on George Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes were charged Wednesday with aiding and abetting murder.

State Attorney General Keith Ellison will also seek an increased charge of murder in the second-degree against Chauvin.

Thomas Lane, who reportedly pointed a gun at Floyd prior to handcuffing and questioned whether he should be rolled onto his side while restrained; J.A. Kueng, one of the officers who helped pin Floyd, and Tou Thao, who was recorded looking on as Chauvin continued to press his knee into Floyd's neck, were charged Wednesday.

Derek Chauvin was charged last week with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Ellison was appointed on Sunday by Gov. Tim Walz to lead the case against the officers.

"We are moving as expeditiously, quickly and effectively as we can," Ellison said. "I am not going to create a situation where somebody can say this was a rush to judgement."

Floyd's Memorial Day death has sparked a wave of protests across the country, several of which have turned into riots that are leading to the looting and destruction of cities. Floyd lost consciousness as Chauvin kneeled on his neck was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.