bk
“As sick as what Chauvin did was, does anyone actually believe that’s what his intention were? ”
Here is why I think they had to bump up his charges:
The 3rd degree murder charge is a slam dunk, as several psoters pointed out any sane or competent person (and most insane and incompetent people too) recognize that holding a knee against the neck of a person who is not resisting is not ok (even if he had been resisting earlier)
That part is easy and straight forward.
Intent is harder to prove. clearly Chauvin had malicious intent (how else do you explain his telling Floyd “get up” and not letting floyd do so when he said “I will” “I cant move” ) but he can easily claim “I never intended to kill, I just wanted to rough him up, toy with him, a bit to teach him a lesson”
The harder part is the other officers. Thou looks like he served as the lookout making sure no bystanders came to save the victim (Someone argued he was outranked there was nothing he could do, that charge didnt fly in Nuremberg 1946, I doubt it would fly today “Just following orders” isnt a defense) .
Thus he seems to be aiding and abetting. But aiding and abbeting what? Negligent homicide ? that doesnt really make sense.
so they bumped up Chauvin;s charge to the harder to prove (but still plausible) charge