U.S. Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-10) issued the flowing statement today regarding the announcement that Keith Ellison, Minnesota’s Attorney General and a former U.S. Congressman (MN-5), would be responsible for cases related to the police killing of George Floyd.

“I am very pleased to hear that Keith Ellison will handle the prosecution of the individuals involved in the horrific murder of George Floyd.  In our six years in Congress, I knew Mr. Ellison to be an honorable man committed to fairness.  I know he will mete out justice for George Floyd and prosecute the person or people responsible for his death to the full extent of the law.”

Ellison this week said this week said that “injustice has been a hallmark of our criminal justice system.” 

“We are working expeditiously, as fast as we can, but we have a duty to be fair and we’re going to be fair,” Ellison told Elaine Quijano, anchor of “Red & Blue” on CBSN. “But let me tell you, my eyes work pretty well, I saw what everybody saw, and I am committed to justice in this case.”

Ellison’s comments came after nearly a week of nationwide protests, sparked by the death of the Minnesota man on May 25 after a police officer pressed his knee onto his neck — despite Floyd’s repeated pleading for air.

The Minnesota Attorney general said he plans to charge the four officers involved to “the highest degree of accountability that the law and the facts will support.”

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who pinned Floyd’s neck to the ground with his knee before Floyd died, is charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death on May 25.