3rd-degree murder count could delay start of Chauvin trial

MINNEAPOLIS  – The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ordered a judge to reconsider adding a third-degree murder charge against a former Minneapolis police officer accused in George Floyd’s death.

A three-judge panel said Friday that the trial judge erred when he rejected a motion to reinstate the third-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin.

The panel says the judge should have followed the precedent set by the appeals court last month when it affirmed the third-degree murder conviction of another former officer, Mohamed Noor, in a different case.

The ruling sets up a potential delay in Chauvin’s trial, which is scheduled to begin Monday with jury selection.