Well, passing funny $$$ should not be a death penalty crime. The cops were completely over the line. I can't imagine why they would need to kneel on the poor guy's neck when he was handcuffed.
Anyone caught passing fake money, even if they are not responsible for making it, will be charged for going against the laws of counterfeiting. This is because the federal government is the one legally responsible for distributing legal tender. Counterfeiters are given up to 20 years in prison or up to $250,000 fine.
Sounds like a lot of motivation to resist arrest, but Dindu Nuffin likely didn't know the penalty for the crime he committed.