A jury in the Federal trial of three former Minneapolis officers found them guilty of violating the civil rights of George Floyd. The Justice Department successfully argued that they failed to provide medical aid to Mr. Floyd and that constituted a violation of his civil rights.
Nowhere in US Code Section 1983 is there a reference to bystander criminal liability, yet prosecutors argued that, even though none of the officers participated in the restraint of Mr. Floyd, they were guilty under the law. That means that simply by being present, they were subject to criminal sanctions. That should cause fear in any law enforcement officer in this country.
This will cause some to scream racism, but no one wants to accept that George Floyd voluntarily made decisions which ultimately cost him his life. Had he allowed himself to be placed in the police vehicle, he would likely be alive today. His choices in no way justify the outcome or the actions of Derek Chauvin, who will now spend the remainder of his life incarcerated in either a state or federal prison. Chauvin alone bears the responsibility. The other officers present had responsibilities other than restraining Mr. Floyd. They had to protect the scene from a vocal crowd which was working its way into a frenzy.
One of the officers present, although we do not know specifically who, requested paramedics to the scene. None of the officers are responsible for the ambulance going to the wrong place, yet that is what appears to constitute the failure to provide medical aid. Assistant US Attorneys serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States. So, is this prosecution an attempt to extend the Civil Rights Law or to appease their boss?
After the verdict, the brother of Mr. Floyd told reporters that nothing will provide justice to his family. He then went on to say that the trial was about accountability. Derek Chauvin has been held accountable, but that is obviously not enough. There is nothing that will be enough for the family of Mr. Floyd.
Hopefully, this case will reach the United States Supreme Court who can decide whether the law was correctly applied in this case.