George Floyd Death: Investigators Ask For Patience In Probe

Law enforcement officials asked for the community's patience and help as they conduct investigations into the officers involved in the Monday arrest of George Floyd, who died after an officer was seen on video placing his knee on the man's neck as he said he could not breathe. The pleas also came amid demonstrations against the police's actions that turned violent and destructive in Minneapolis Wednesday night and as a similar demonstration broke out in St. Paul Thursday afternoon.

Erica MacDonald, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, said at a Thursday news conference that the Department of Justice was conducting a "robust and meticulous investigation" surrounding the event and the officers' actions on Monday evening.

MacDonald said the world had witnessed a disturbing loss of life and stated that the DOJ has made the investigation a top priority. She expressed her condolences for Floyd's family, friends and for the community.

"We are grieving and will continue to grieve," MacDonald said, adding that both President Trump and Attorney General Bill Barr are actively monitoring the investigation in the case.

The federal investigation, MacDonald said, will determine whether the actions of the former officers violated any federal criminal laws, including any civil rights violations. MacDonald said it is critical that the investigation is done right and done right the first time, a message reiterated by other law enforcement officials at the news conference.

The U.S. Attorney called for the community to remain calm while the investigation is ongoing, saying it breaks her heart to see what is going on in the streets.

Minneapolis has been rocked by two nights of protests, with dozens of buildings along Lake Street broken into, looted, and burned late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. One person was fatally shot at the protest just after 9 p.m. On Thursday afternoon, a demonstration broke out in St. Paul that where police said protester were throwing rocks and liqour bottles at them as they tried to get the crowd to disperse. Mayor Melvin Carter pleaded with people not to protest in the city and to keep the focus on Floyd. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz activated the National Guard late Thursday afternoon.

Speaking at Thursday's news conference, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said the main question he was being asked is what he will do about the murder of George Floyd. Freeman's answer was that he would investigate as expeditiously and thoroughly as justice demands and asked for patience. He called the video showing Floyd's last moments "graphic, terrible and horrific."

Freeman said he would not rush to justice, citing the example of the case of Freddie Gray in Baltimore where he sad there was a rush to charge and a rush to justice and ultimately no officers were convicted.

The prosecutors leading the case are those who were in charge of the Justine Damond case, the 40-year-old woman originally from Australia who was fatally shot in July 2017 in Minneapolis by a police officer. The officer, Mohamed Noor, was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter and third-degree murder.

Freeman said he does not condone or respect the officer's actions but said the question he has to answer is whether the action was criminal.

"That's what I have to prove," Freeman said.

Freeman's office has also since issued a statement clarifying comments he made on Thursday saying there was other evidence in the case that does not support a criminal charge. The statement said his comment regarding evidence was being misinterpreted.

"To clarify, County Attorney Freeman was saying that it is critical to review all the evidence because at the time of trial, invariably, all that information will be used," the statement said.

"Evidence favorable to our case needs to be carefully examined to understand the full picture of what actually happened.

"This happens in every case. This statement does not indicate in any way the horror that we all feel when viewing the video. As in any case, it is simply a matter of adequately preparing for trial."

Both the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension asked the public to share any information they have that would be helpful to investigators. Tips to the FBI can be sent by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI while tips to the BCA can be submitted by calling 651-793-7000.