Judge Dismisses 1 Charge Against Former Cop in Floyd’s Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ A Minnesota judge has dismissed a third-degree murder count filed against the former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on the neck of George Floyd, but the more serious second-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin remains.

Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Cahill's ruling was made public Thursday. Chauvin now faces two counts going forward: second-degree murder and manslaughter.

Cahill also denied defense requests to dismiss the aiding and abetting counts against three other former officers, Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao.

Floyd, a Black man who was in handcuffs, died May 25 after Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd's neck as Floyd said he couldn't breathe.