George Floyd

The state’s parole board did not explain why it was denying the request to pardon Floyd, who was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer, for a minor 2004 drug conviction. Last year, the board recommended Abbott pardon Floyd, then rescinded that suggestion.

More Black Americans live in Texas than any other state. Two years after George Floyd’s murder, many reconsider their future here.

Justin Berry was among 19 Austin police officers indicted earlier this year, accused of using excessive force against people protesting the murder of George Floyd.

On Friday a Dallas County grand jury indicted two Dallas Police officers accused of assaulting protesters in the summer of 2020.

The officers are accused of severely injuring people during protests in downtown Dallas.

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles cited a procedural error for the decision, but seemed to leave open the possibility that it would reconsider the issue in the near future.

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles unanimously recommended a posthumous pardon for a 2004 drug arrest made by a now-indicted ex-Houston police officer whose case history is under scrutiny following a deadly drug raid.

Chauvin "treated Mr. Floyd without respect and denied him the dignity owed to all human beings," wrote Judge Peter Cahill, adding an additional 10 years to Chauvin's presumptive sentence.

Prosecutors were asking for the former police officer to be sentenced to a 30-year prison term. The defense attorney called for probation and time already served.

Negotiators on Capitol Hill continue to work on a police overhaul bill named after Floyd, which President Biden had hoped to sign by now.

Narrowly targeted pieces of Texas’ George Floyd Act — like restricting chokeholds and requiring officers to provide first aid — are expected to pass. But the Act itself and many other related reforms have failed to progress during the legislative session that ends Monday.

The five members of Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the resolution in support of the pardon request, which was submitted last month to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. The board still must decide whether to recommend a pardon, and Gov. Greg Abbott will have the final say.