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.