Christopher Furlong/Getty Images; Ramsey County Sheriff's Office via AP
- A Minnesota judge has dismissed a third-degree murder charge against fired Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin.
- Chauvin is charged in the killing of George Floyd, whose death has sparked a reckoning and calls for police reform.
- Chauvin’s other charges, including second-degree murder, will remain.
- Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.
A Minneapolis judge dismissed a third-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin, the fired police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes until he died, according to a report from KARE on Thursday.
Judge Peter Cahill allowed the other charges filed against Chauvin, including second-degree murder, to stand, according to Paul Blume, a reporter with Fox 9 in Minneapolis. The aiding and abetting charges against the three other fired Minneapolis officers — Thomas Lane, Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao — will also remain.
—Paul Blume (@PaulBlume_FOX9) October 22, 2020
Under Minnesota law, someone can be charged with murder in the third degree if they, without the intent to kill, cause the death of another person by an act that is “eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind,” or by providing them with illegal drugs that caused them to die.
Murder in the second degree is intended for defendants who are accused of causing the death of a human with the intent to effect the death, but without premeditation; those who commit drive-by shootings; and those who unintentionally kill someone while committing a felony offense, with some exceptions.
Initially, Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
While working as an officer, Chauvin received 18 complaints against him by citizens, 16 of which were closed without discipline.
Earlier this month, he was released on a $1 million bail and allowed to live in states outside Minnesota as he awaits his trial.
He has claimed through his attorney that he acted within his duties and training the day that Floyd died.
- Read more:
- Vote to disband Minneapolis police lets city council members 'pose as great reformers while doing absolutely nothing,' police brutality research group says
- One of the officers charged in George Floyd's killing was hired despite having a criminal record and slew of traffic violations
- Derek Chauvin had 16 complaints made against him that were closed with 'no discipline.' A former member of the police review board says that's proof of a broken system.
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