Investigation into George Floyd's Death a DOJ "Top priority"
Derek Chauvin was charged with 3rd degree murder in Minnesota which states, "Whoever, without intent to effect the death of any person, causes the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life. Up to 25 years in prison." 25 years is hardly enough in most minds. Why not 1st or second degree murder? Or capital murder? If ever there was a case for retributive justice, "an eye for an eye," this would be it.
However, intent in murder cases like this is very difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Premeditation is easier to prove when it's a scorned lover or a murder for a financial gain. Also, Chauvin was charged with 2nd degree manslaughter, a lesser crime indicating more negligence than intent with a punishment of up to 10 years.
Also, the other three officers haven't been charged, yet. They will likely be charged as accomplices to murder. They are not innocent bystanders. Typically, a bystander who watches a crime has no duty to intervene. There are typically no "good Samaritan laws" because the law doesn't require a person to "stick their necks out" for people, especially because they would be putting themselves at risk of retaliation, think of the mob or mafia. However, the difference between police officers and civilians is that police officers have a legal duty to act. I've seen it on some police videos, officers are like other human beings, we get heated and flooded with emotion, so another officer will step in and say, "Hey, why don't you take a breather, I got this." That officer is able to compose himself while another does not place a knee on a human's neck. Why that didn't happen here is beyond my comprehension.
Police officers have a duty to intervene much like a parent. If a parent sees their child choking to death, they have a duty to help render aid, they cannot just sit there are watch their child die without facing legal consequences. It's the same thing here.
I hope all four officers are charged and convicted. Six years ago when Black Lives Matter formed, we should have seen BLM support to the magnitude that we are seeing now. If we had, we would already be seeing progress. I would love to see our legislatures get together and define police brutality and make it a distinguishable crime. I would also like to see "internal investigations" as something in the past. Also, police officer's discipline should be public, like lawyers. Qualified immunity should be easier to pierce, giving it away disincentives protecting lives. Why isn't our President forming a task force or making an executive order of a plan to end systematic racism once and for all?