A Minnesota court this Friday (12/09) sentenced former Minneapolis police officer J. Alexander Kueng to three and a half years in prison for manslaughter. May 2020.
Floyd died at the age of 46 when police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee to his neck for nine and a half minutes with the connivance of his colleagues, while the African American repeated that he could not breathe. Floyd was suspected of using a fake $20 bill to pay for a purchase. The video of the episode caused worldwide shock and sparked a wave of protests against racism, empowering the Black Lives Matter movement.
During the action, Kueng knelt on Floyd’s back, while Chauvin put pressure on the man’s neck. Another officer, Thomas Lane, grabbed Floyd’s legs, and Officer Tou Thao prevented the witnesses from intervening.
Kueng attended the hearing via video link from a federal prison in Ohio, where he is currently serving another sentence. Floyd’s family had the right to testify, but they chose not to.
criminal complaint
In October, Kueng pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter. In response, the former agent’s accusation of complicity in the murder was dismissed by the US Court.
Kueng’s attorney, Thomas Plunkett, tried to pin the blame on the Minneapolis Police Department, saying the agency did not provide adequate training.
Meanwhile, Matthew Frank of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office said Kueng “did less than some eyewitnesses tried to help Mr. Floyd”.
Chauvin is currently serving 22 and a half years in prison after being convicted in state court on murder and aggravated murder charges. He is also serving a 21-year federal sentence.
Kueng, Thao and Lane were found guilty of depriving Floyd of his civil rights in federal court in July. Lane will serve two and a half years, Kueng three years and Thao three and a half years.
*Lusa, Reuters, AP
source: Noticias
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.