Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News) - The charges filed today against a former Minneapolis police officer accuse him of perpetrating an eminently dangerous act and causing the death of George Floyd by culpable negligence.

44-year-old Derek Chauvin of Oakdale was arrested this morning and is now charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. He is the officer seen in the now-famous viral video holding his knee against the 46-year-old man's neck while he repeatedly stated he could not breathe and eventually became unresponsive and died.

The criminal complaint says the evidence shows Chauvin kept Floyd pinned to the pavement with his knee on his neck for a total of eight minutes and 46 seconds. Just under three minutes of that time was after Floyd became unresponsive. The court document states that police officers are trained that this type of restraint with a person in a prone condition is inherently dangerous and allege Chauvin insisted on keeping Floyd pinned that way despite another officer expressing concern and questioning whether he should be rolled onto his side.

minneapolis police murder george floyd derek chauvin arrested
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The preliminary results from an autopsy did not find any physical evidence that Floyd's death was the result of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation, but found the combined effects of being restrained by the police, his underlying health conditions, and any potential intoxicants in his system likely contributed to his death.

The criminal complaint indicates the chain of events leading up to Floyd’s death started when officers responded to a report from a store that alleged Floyd attempted to pay for a purchase with a counterfeit $20 bill. It also alleges Floyd initially resisted being placed in handcuffs and later resisted efforts to place him inside a police vehicle by falling to the ground and contorting his body. That’s when Chavin pinned him down with his knee on the man’s neck.

In announcing the charges earlier today, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.

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