Convicted policeman considers changing declaration of innocence

Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer convicted of a crime The murder of George Floyd, is considering changing his acquittal to face civil charges, according to court records released on Monday (13).

Chauvin, 45 He was sentenced in June to 22 and a half years in prison, may change his statement Wednesday at a hearing as he faces federal charges of “violating the constitutional rights” of Floyd, the 46-year-old black man who suffocated the agent while in prison.

The former police officer has the possibility to initiate negotiations to avoid a retrial, according to a notice registered Monday in his court file.

It has not been determined whether Chauvin intended to plead guilty or if he would opt for a compromise consisting of accepting a conviction without formally admitting his guilt.

Floyd’s death sparked a wave of protests around the world against racial injustice and police brutality. Chauvin, a white man, was filmed pressing Floyd’s neck with his knee for about 10 minutes, until the victim lost consciousness and died.

Officers Alexander King and Thomas Lane helped contain Floyd in handcuffs, while Tu Thao kept passersby outside who asked police officers to leave Floyd, who said he could not breathe.

Chauvin and the three other agents who attended the episode were charged with violating the victim’s constitutional rights, as well as failing to demand emergency medical services. The four have pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, and their trial has been set for next year.