Minnesota AG Keith Ellison To Take Lead In George Floyd Case

MINNEAPOLIS, MN—Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Sunday that he has asked Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to assist in the cases arising out of the death of George Floyd.

“There have been recent developments in the facts of the case where the help and expertise of the Attorney General would be valuable,” Freeman said.

According to Gov. Tim Walz, Ellison will not only be assisting in the case, he will serve as the lead prosecutor.

"Having Ellison lead this prosecution keeps faith with our commitment to ensure justice for George Floyd. Thank you, Attorney General. I can think of nobody better to do this critical work," Gov. Walz said in a tweet.

Freeman and Ellison plan to meet Monday to begin their joint work on the case.

"It with a large degree of humility and a great seriousness, I accept for my office the responsibility for leadership on this critical case involving the killing of George Floyd," Ellison said in a tweet. "We are going to bring to bear all the resources necessary to achieve justice in this case."

Ellison's involvement in the case comes a week after violent protests have erupted throughout the nation following the death of 46-year-old George Floyd at the hands of former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin. Chauvin came under fire after video captured him kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes.

Chauvin is now facing murder and manslaughter charges. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison. Three other officers were present following Floyd's arrest and have since been fired. Protesters nationwide are calling for charges to be filed against them as well.

Ellison was sworn in as Minnesota’s 30th attorney general on January 7, 2019. Before that, he represented the state's 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.