Barr says he’s confident justice will be served in George Floyd case

Attorney General William Barr is vowing that justice will prevail in its case examining the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in the custody of four white police officers in Minneapolis.

Barr said Friday in a statement that the Justice Department and FBI will make charging decisions based on the law and facts, stating that they are working quickly on the matter. 

“I am confident justice will be served,” Barr said.

His investigation is separate, but will run parallel to the probe being led by the state prosecutor in Minnesota, who is seeking to determine whether the officers will face criminal charges under the state’s laws. 

“Both state and federal officers are working diligently and collaboratively to ensure that any available evidence relevant to these decisions is obtained as quickly as possible,” Barr said. “As is the typical practice, the state’s charging decisions will be made first.”

Footage of the incident showed a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, pinning Floyd to the ground, with his knee on Floyd’s neck. Floyd could be heard gasping for air, saying that he “can’t breathe” before his body went limp.

Medical responders who took Floyd, 46, from police custody said they found him without a pulse.

While the four officers involved were fired, no arrests have been made — a matter that has further fueled the protests and violence in Minneapolis, which has spread to other parts of the country.

Barr described the video images of Floyd’s death as “harrowing to watch and deeply disturbing.”

Shortly before Barr’s statement, Hennepin County attorney Mike Freeman announced that Chauvin was under arrest. He has been charged with third degree manslaughter.

Barr’s statement comes after President Trump and Democrats have urged the DOJ to expedite their probe into Floyd’s death.