One in three police officers who remained passive in the murder of George Floyd in 2020 pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to murder and will avoid a trial that should open in June, Minnesota justice announced.
Thomas Lane accepted responsibility for his role in death by George Floyd, admitted in a press release the State’s attorney, Keith Ellison.
” This admission that he has done something wrong is an important step toward healing the wounds of the Floyd family, our community and the nation. “
The former police officer, charged with accessory to murder, agreed to plead guilty after the charges were reclassified during a court hearing in Minneapolis, according to a justice spokesman. Under the terms of this agreement, he will be sentenced to three years in prison and incarcerated in a federal prison.
This guilty plea brings the Floyd family closer to their grief for the horrific and historic murder of George Floydreaction of Ben Crump, the lawyer for the family of forty.
We hope (the agreement) will usher in a new era where police officers understand that jurors will hold them accountable, just as they would other citizens.He added.
His two other colleagues, Tou Thao, of Hmong descent, and Alexander Kueng, an African-American, have pleaded not guilty and their trial in state court will begin on June 13.
Three police officers, who were present at the time of George Floyd’s fatal arrest, were found guilty of not interfering to assist the African-American in federal court in February.
Their verdict should be announced later.
A fourth police officer, Derek Chauvin, was already convicted in June 2021 of murder and sentenced to 22 and a half years in the Minnesota justice prison. He maintained for a long minute, on May 25, 2020, his knee to George Floyd’s neck, which caused his asphyxiation.
His death, which was shot and posted online, sparked massive protests against racism and police brutality across the United States and beyond in the summer of 2020.
Alexander Kueng was behind George Floyd, and Thomas Lane was holding his legs. Tou Thao, meanwhile, kept passersby shocked.
Twice Thomas Lane suggested placing the African American by his side, in a safe position on the side, when he clearly showed signs of vital distress. But Derek Chauvin didn’t let go of his grip.
Source: Radio-Canada
