LAPD probes ‘merciless’ George Floyd picture, homicide trial weeks away | Black Lives Matter Information

A report that Los Angeles Police Department officers circulated a photo of George Floyd with the words “You take my breath away” in a Valentine-style format sparked an internal investigation and sparked a blistering conviction when the Authorities in Minnesota prepare for trial of police officer charged with Floyd’s murder.

LAPD chief Michel Moore said Saturday that investigators will try to determine how the picture got to work and who may have been involved, the Los Angeles Times reported. Moore said the officer who filed the complaint will be interviewed Monday.

“Our investigation is to establish the veracity of the allegations while strengthening our zero tolerance for anything with racist views,” said Moore.

Floyd, a black man, died last May after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressed a knee to his neck when Floyd repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe.” His death sparked massive protests against police brutality and racism around the world.

Ben Crump, an attorney for Floyd’s family, sentenced the officers.

“This is more than an insult on top of injury – it’s an injury on top of death. The kind of calluses and cruelty in a person’s soul that are required to do such a thing is beyond understanding – and indicates a much bigger problem within the LAPD’s culture, “Crump said in a statement posted on Twitter .

MEDIA WARNING: @AttorneyCrump posted a statement regarding the picture of George Floyd which was reportedly posted on @LAPDHQ. This is an injury on top of death and indicates a much larger problem within the LAPD culture. pic.twitter.com/7XiM3mNjEu

– Ben Crump Law, PLLC (@BenCrumpLaw) February 15, 2021

“We demand that everyone involved be held accountable for their repulsive behavior and that the family be apologized immediately.”

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon condemned the picture, saying he would investigate the matter to see if any of his cases “may have been compromised by biased policing”.

The board of directors of the Los Angeles Police Protective League said in a statement that the union “rejects this hideous image” and that any official who “feels the need to be part of an online group that gets involved, promotes and / or celebrates This type of activity should quickly reconsider their career choices as they clearly have neither the judgment nor the temperament to be a member of law enforcement. “

Upcoming process

The LAPD investigation is ongoing as Minnesota authorities prepare for Chauvin’s trial for the second degree murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death.

Judge Peter Cahill ruled last month that Chauvin would stand alone on trial starting March 8, and denied requests for delays and was tried before former officers Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao on charges of accessory to murder are charged with Floyd’s death.

From left: Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao, the four police officers charged with the murder of George Floyd [File: Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office via AP Photo]The other three former officers will stand together on August 23. Cahill pointed to a lack of courtroom space for proper COVID-19 logs when they began the trial over the summer.

The local courts will not resume trials until March 15. Cahill granted an exception to the proceedings against Chauvin.

Chauvin was ready to plead guilty to the third degree murder, but former Attorney General William Barr blocked the deal because it was too early in the investigation, The Associated Press and the New York Times reported.

Minnesota lawmakers on Monday tabled a proposal from Governor Tim Walz to create a $ 35 million fund to strengthen security during the Chauvin trial.

The leaders at Minnesota’s home admitted they lacked enough votes to see them off. The Republican-controlled Senate voted earlier Monday that the state could garnish Minneapolis state aid to ensure security costs are paid.

Local, state and federal authorities have been preparing for demonstrations and possible riots for months.

They fear a recurrence of the violence that broke out after protests against Black Lives Matter began in Minneapolis and spread around the world, leading to a national reckoning on the race.