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Former Attorney General William Barr has rejected a plea deal that a former Minneapolis police officer agreed to just days after George Floyd’s death in May 2020, according to a report.
Under the proposed deal, which required federal government approval, Derek Chauvin – the officer seen kneeling on Floyd’s neck in a video that went viral – had agreed to plead guilty to third degree murder, reported The New York Times on Wednesday, citing information from three law enforcement officials.
An official said Barr was concerned that the deal, which called for a 10-year prison sentence, might have been viewed by the public as too lenient. The investigation into Floyd’s death was still ongoing at the time.
Barr also wanted to allow Hennepin County prosecutors to pursue the case on their own terms, the Times reported.
MINNESOTA PREPARES FOR POTENTIAL GEORGE FLOYD ISSUE IN TRIAL OF DEREK CHAUVIN NEARBY
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to an email from Fox News requesting comment on the Times story. Eric Nelson, Chauvin’s lawyer, said he would not comment on the case.
Derek Chauvin, left, faces murder charges in connection with the death of George Floyd.
Prosecutors want all 4 officers charged with third degree murder following George Floyd’s death
Floyd’s death in custody on May 25, 2020, led to violent protests in Minneapolis and major cities across the U.S. Protesters watched the video that emerged of Floyd’s arrest and said ‘this was another example of police brutality.
Former Attorney General William Barr speaks during a press conference Monday, December 21, 2020 at the Department of Justice in Washington. (Associated press)
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Chauvin is expected to stand trial alone from March 8, while three other former officers facing lesser charges in the case will be tried together this summer. Chauvin, who is White, pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck as he was handcuffed face down on the street – even whether that was the cause of Floyd’s death has been a matter of debate.
Last August, a medical examiner said that an autopsy revealed Floyd had a ‘lethal level’ of fentanyl in his system when he died, but Dr Andrew Baker stopped before claiming the drug had been taken. killed Floyd.
Floyd was arrested as police investigated whether he had used a counterfeit bill at a nearby store. In a video widely seen on social media, Floyd could be heard pleading with officers for air, saying he couldn’t breathe.
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Minneapolis is already taking steps to prepare for Chauvin’s trial, the Times reported. The National Guard will be deployed and some city office workers have been asked to stay home after work.
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