US judge upholds 2nd-degree murder charge in Floyd case

ANKARA

A judge in the US state of Minnesota dismissed one of the charges Thursday against former white police officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged in the killing of unarmed Black man George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Judge Peter A. Cahill dropped the third-degree murder charge but Chauvin still faces second-degree murder and manslaughter charges, according to court documents.

Cahill also ruled to keep aiding and abetting charges against the other three former Minneapolis police officers Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and Alexander Kueng. All three motions of dismissal were denied.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz welcomed the decision to uphold the remaining charges. "BREAKING: Judge upholds murder charges against Derek Chauvin and other officers. Important step toward justice for George Floyd," he tweeted.

Chauvin killed Floyd, 46, by kneeling on his neck for nearly nine minutes May 25. His death on video sparked worldwide protest against police brutality against blacks.

Floyd was being arrested after allegedly attempting to use a counterfeit $20 bill at a store.

ANKARA

Judge Peter A. Cahill dropped the third-degree murder charge but Chauvin still faces second-degree murder and manslaughter charges, according to court documents.

Cahill also ruled to keep aiding and abetting charges against the other three former Minneapolis police officers Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and Alexander Kueng. All three motions of dismissal were denied.

Chauvin killed Floyd, 46, by kneeling on his neck for nearly nine minutes May 25. His death on video sparked worldwide protest against police brutality against blacks.

Floyd was being arrested after allegedly attempting to use a counterfeit $20 bill at a store.