Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill dismissed Minneapolis cop’s third-degree murder charge in a 107-page decision Thursday morning.
Cahill ruled that there was no probable cause for the charge because there was no evidence that Chauvin was ’eminently dangerous’ to people other than Floyd.
The judge wrote that Chauvin ‘s acts were ‘specifically aimed’ at Floyd when he pushed his chest, neck and throat, and face into concrete.
Dismissal shall remain for a maximum of five days to give the State time to appeal the decision.
Chauvin, 44, also faces criminal charges, including more serious charges of second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Judge also rejected motions for dismissal of the charges of aiding and betting against the three other dismissed officers charged in connection with Floyd ‘s death.
Hennepin County Government Center was boarded up before the decision was announced.
Chauvin is accused of killing George Floyd, a black man, on Memorial Day.
He knelt on Floyd ‘s neck for nine minutes before he passed away and died.
