Prof. Frase Quoted in New York Times Regarding Legal Basis for Third-Degree Murder Charge Brought Against Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the Tragic Killing of George Floyd

Professor Richard Frase—co-director of the Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice—was quoted in a New York Times article examining the legal basis for the third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges brought against former Minneapolis Police Office Derek Chauvin in the tragic killing of George Floyd. Frase noted that a first- or second-degree murder charge would require prosecutors to prove that Mr. Chauvin intended to kill Mr. Floyd. Frase added that the criminal complaint against Mr. Chauvin did not identify any specific motive for officers to kill Mr. Floyd, which essentially ruled out intentional murder charges; third degree murder does not require intent to kill, only an eminently dangerous act without regard for human life.