The former Minneapolis police officer convicted of the murder of George Floyd made his first appearance in federal court on civil rights charges, Insider and Fox9 News reported Wednesday.
Derek Chauvin, 45, appeared in federal court via videoconference from Minnesota's maximum security jail in Oak Park Heights - where he is being held as he awaits sentencing following his April conviction.
Chauvin waived his right to a detention hearing on the civil rights charges. "In light of my current circumstances, I think that would be a moot point," Insider quoted the former officer as telling the judge.
The indictment alleges Chauvin willfully deprived Floyd of his constitutional rights as he restrained him while he was handcuffed and unresisting - resulting in Floyd's death.
The federal indictment also accuses three dismissed officers - Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao - who are awaiting trial on state charges of aiding and abetting the death of Floyd, the reports said.
The indictment alleges Chauvin and the three former officers deprived Floyd of liberty without due process when they failed to provide him with immediate medical care. Chauvin is also charged in a separate indictment that claims he violated the rights of a 14-year-old boy in 2017.
Chauvin's lawyer, Eric Nelson, argued during Chauvin's murder trial the officer acted in accordance with his police training and Floyd died because of preexisting health issues and drug use. Nelson has filed a request for a new trial.
Chauvin's murder conviction sentence hearing starts June 25. Legal experts suggest he might be looking at 25 years to 40 years in prison for his conviction on second-degree murder, according to reports.
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