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White US Police Officer Charged with Murder in Black Man's Death

VOA News

   A white police officer in the U.S. city of Minneapolis seen kneeling on
   the neck of a handcuffed African American man who died in custody after
   pleading he could not breathe has been arrested and charged with
   third-degree murder and manslaughter.

   Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced the charges Friday
   after he said his office had enough evidence to justify the charges.
   Freeman did not immediately disclose details but said a criminal
   complaint would be available later.

   The victim, 46-year-old George Floyd, was pronounced dead shortly after
   he was pinned to the ground while handcuffed and officer Derek Chauvin
   kneeled on his neck as Floyd pleaded he could not breath.

   Floyd's family responded to the charges, saying in a statement it wants
   prosecutors to take a tougher approach.

   "The arrest of former Minneapolis police officer Kerek Chauvin for the
   brutal killing of George Floyd is a welcome but overdue step on the
   road to justice. We expected a first-degree murder charge. We want a
   first-degree murder charge. And we want to see the other officers
   arrested. We call on authorities to revise the charges to reflect the
   true culpability of this officer."

   The Midwestern city of Minneapolis remains on edge following another
   night of violent protests sparked by the controversial death of an
   African American man in the custody of a white police officer.

   Protesters vented their anger in Minneapolis for a third night, setting
   a police precinct and businesses on fire and smashing windows of
   businesses. The National Guard was mobilized as the twin city of St.
   Paul was also rocked by another night of violence.

   Demonstrations against Floyd's death and years of violence against
   African Americans at the hands of police have also spread across the
   United States. Protestors also took to the streets Thursday in New York
   City and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

   "Please, please, please, I can't breathe. Please, man," Floyd pleaded,
   while being detained by officer Chauvin. The incident was captured on
   cellphone video that went viral after it was posted online.

   The officer restraining a handcuffed Floyd urged him to "relax," but
   the officer kept his knee on Floyd's neck after the unarmed man stopped
   moving. One witness said he heard Floyd calling out for his mother. The
   video shows Floyd's head turned to the side as he does not appear to be
   resisting. Toward the end of the video, paramedics arrive, lift a limp
   Floyd onto a stretcher and place him in an ambulance. Authorities later
   told reporters Floyd died at the hospital.
   Minneapolis police said Floyd resembled a suspect wanted for allegedly
   trying to spend a counterfeit $20 bill in a food store and that he had
   resisted arrest.

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