Abbott weighs in on new charges filed in death of George Floyd

AUSTIN, Texas - The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis has sparked protests throughout the country. Now, all four officers involved in his death are facing charges.

“We’re here today because George Floyd is not here. He should be here, he should be alive, but he’s not. About nine days ago the world watched Floyd utter his very last words ‘I can’t breathe,’ as he pled for his life.” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.

RELATED: 3 other Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd's death, Chauvin charges upgraded

On Wednesday afternoon, Ellison filed arrest warrants for fired Minneapolis Police officers J. Alexander Kueng, Tou Thao, and Thomas Lane. They are being charged with aiding and abetting murder in the second degree, a felony. The three officers were shown on video with ex-officer Derek Chauvin as he kneeled on Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes. 

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“[Kueng, Thao and Lane] should have done something. This isn’t anything that happened just in a moment's notice. This took a long time for this to happen and they should have come to this dying man’s rescue before he lost his life.” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. 

On Wednesday, Ellison also announced that Chauvin, who was previously facing a third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charge, would be facing an upgraded second-degree murder charge.  

“My father should not be killed like this. We deserve justice,” said Quincy Mason Floyd, George Floyd’s son. 

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Abbott says he hopes protesters feel validated by Wednesday’s legal actions. “It sends a message across the country that this is something that prosecutors are taking serious. That no longer will prosecutors, or law enforcement or anybody turn the other way.”