Court allows state to seek aggravated sentencing in Floyd cases; will also allow some additional evidence in Chauvin case

The state court ruled on a number of motions filed regarding the cases against the four former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd Tuesday.

According to documents filed by the court, Judge Peter Cahill approved a motion filed by the state to allow for the argument of aggravated sentencing to be heard in the event that defendants are found guilty. Aggravated sentencing allows for sentencing that is more severe than state sentencing guidelines.

Additionally, Cahill ruled that two additional pieces of ‘Spreigl’ evidence will be allowed in the trial of former officer Derek Chauvin. The evidence, requested by the state for admission, relates to two incidences dated Aug. 22, 2015 and June 25, 2017 in which Chauvin was involved. Defendants’ request to allow for additional ‘Spreigl’ evidence was denied, as well as the state’s request for other ‘Spreigl’ evidence.

In short, ‘Spreigl’ evidence is evidence that relates to previous crimes, bad acts or wrongs that may be relevant to the current trial.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. J Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.