Minneapolis Police Officer Charged with 3rd Degree Murder, Manslaughter

Minnesota defines third-degree murder as “depraved-heart murder,” i.e., without intent to effect the death of any person, caus[ing] the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life”).  This seems exactly correct.  He should get the maximum, 25 years.

Manslaughter is a lesser charge; involuntary manslaughter is “unintentional killing that results either from criminal negligence or the commission of a low-level criminal act such as a misdemeanor.”  Jamming one’s knee into another’s neck and holding it in place for eight minutes, obstructing the victim’s breathing, is aggravated battery, most certainly a felony.

The others are guilty of aiding manslaughter (though not abetting).  They are also accomplices to manslaughter.  They should each get a year or so, IMO.