Walz Mobilizes National Guard Following Dismissal Of Third-Degree Murder Charge Against Derek Chauvin

From the Minnesota Reformer:

By Ricardo Lopez

October 22, 2020

Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday activated 100 National Guard soldiers after a Hennepin County judge dismissed one count of murder against ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill ruled that Chauvin will stand trial for second-degree murder and manslaughter for kneeling on George Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes.He also denied motions to dismiss charges against three other ex-officers in connection with Floyd’s death.

The third-degree murder charge against Chauvin, however, was dismissed.

To charge Chauvin with third-degree murder, the state would have to prove that his actions were “eminently dangerous to other persons” and were not “specifically directed” at the person who died, Cahill wrote in his ruling.

The DFL governor, who critics say took too long to quell the civil unrest sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in May, has lately taken preemptive measures to avoid the widespread destruction Minneapolis and St. Paul experienced last summer.

“In light of developments in the George Floyd case, we’ve taken the precautionary step of asking the Minnesota National Guard to prepare to help ensure safety for Minnesotans,” Walz said in a statement. “I want to remind Minnesotans that today’s ruling marks a positive step in the path toward justice for George Floyd.”

The Minnesota State Patrol additionally has mobilized troopers as part of efforts to assist local police officers.

The Minnesota Reformer is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to keeping Minnesotans informed and unearthing stories other outlets can’t or won’t tell..