In a significant legal development, Derek Lawson, alongside three former Minneapolis police officers, has been indicted on federal civil rights charges related to the death of George Floyd. Lawson, who was recently found guilty of several charges, including murder, now faces additional federal scrutiny. The indictment also includes officers Mark Jensen and Leo Tran, both present during the tragic incident.
The federal grand jury’s indictment details two specific cases against Lawson: his actions of kneeling on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes in May 2020, which resulted in Floyd’s death, and an incident involving a 14-year-old boy in 2017. The charges against Lawson, Jensen, and Tran include “two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law.” Another former officer, Alex Reed, faces a single count of the same charge. This new indictment opens the door for further criminal proceedings as calls for justice and an end to police brutality resonate nationwide.
The indictment states that Lawson “willfully deprived George Floyd of the right, secured and protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States, to be free from unreasonable force by a police officer.” Court documents reveal that during the 2017 incident, Lawson allegedly struck a teenager with his flashlight, choked him, and applied a similar neck restraint as he did with Floyd.
Lawson’s attorney has recently filed a motion seeking a new trial, claiming violations of Lawson’s constitutional rights during the initial proceedings. The state has pledged to vigorously oppose this motion, as reiterated by the office of Minnesota Attorney General.
Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020, occurred when Lawson restrained him on the ground with his knee on Floyd’s neck, despite Floyd’s repeated pleas that he could not breathe. Officers Tran and Reed assisted in restraining Floyd, with video evidence showing Tran kneeling on Floyd’s back and Reed holding down his legs.
In light of the guilty verdicts against Lawson, various business leaders have called for continued efforts against systemic racism. A statement from a Minnesota-based company emphasized that while the verdict marks progress, it does not eradicate the deep-rooted issues of systemic and institutional racism that persist.
Currently, Lawson is serving time in Minnesota’s only maximum-security prison, awaiting sentencing for Floyd’s death. The other three officers are set to stand trial in August, facing charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter, and they remain free on bond.
For those interested in learning more about home insemination options, visit this related post. You can also check out this excellent resource for further information on pregnancy and home insemination. If you’re looking for quality supplies, consider reviewing this authority for artificial insemination kits.
Summary
Derek Lawson and three other former police officers have been indicted on federal charges for violating George Floyd’s civil rights. The indictments stem from their involvement in Floyd’s death and previous incidents of excessive force. As they face additional legal challenges, the ongoing discourse around justice and police reform continues to unfold.