Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will now lead the prosecutions over the death of George Floyd, placing a prosecutor with a background in civil rights law at the forefront of the case that has sparked national protests against police violence.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz made the announcement Sunday, saying he decided to tap Ellison after speaking with Floyd's family. "This decision is one that I feel takes us in that direction and the step to start getting the justice for George Floyd," Walz said.

A county prosecutor has already brought third-degree murder and manslaughter charges against former police officer Derek Chauvin, who was captured on video putting his knee on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes. Floyd later died in police custody.