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March 12, 2021

Judge Reinstates Third-Degree Murder Charge Against Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin, Who Killed George Floyd
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In Minnesota, a judge has reinstated third-degree murder charges against
Derek Chauvin, the white former police officer who killed George Floyd
by kneeling on his neck for more than nine minutes last May. Jurors will
also have the option to convict Chauvin on second-degree murder or
manslaughter charges. Of the six jurors selected in Chauvin's trial so
far, three are white men, and one is Black. Civil rights attorney and
activist Nekima Levy Armstrong said in response, "We need people who
have a history of understanding … the context of what's happening in
this country, and how what happened to George Floyd is a perpetuation of
the lynchings Black people experienced, time and time again." Click here
to see our full interview with Nekima Levy Armstrong.

Meanwhile, Judge Peter Cahill has also said he won't allow "character
evidence" of George Floyd during the trial, such as describing Floyd as
a peaceful person or referring to him as a "gentle giant" - as he was
known to friends and family. 


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