The state trial against the three former Minneapolis police officers who stood by as Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd’s neck will now begin in June.
According to Kare 11, Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, who are all charged with aiding and abetting both murder and manslaughter, will stand trial for Floyd’s death on June 13, 2022. The state case was originally supposed to begin in March, but the defense and prosecution were concerned that the ex-cops’ federal trial, which is slated to begin on Thursday (Jan. 20), would impact the initial date.
Last year, Chauvin, who was tried separately from the other men, was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter for kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes. He was subsequently sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison.
On Thursday (Jan. 20), jury selection is set to begin for Lane, Thao and Kueng’s federal trial for Floyd’s death. They are charged with failing to render aid to the 46-year-old, whose pleas to breathe were ignored. Kueng and Thao are also charged with “willfully” failing to intervene when Floyd couldn’t breathe.
Earlier this month, fencing was erected around the St. Paul courthouse in preparation for the ex-cops’ federal trial. The St. Paul Police Department said they are dedicated to doing everything possible to assure the proceedings are safe for all involved, saying, “our focus is on protecting people, property, and free speech.”
In December, Chauvin changed his not guilty plea in the civil rights case. The former cop plead guilty to two counts related to Floyd’s death. As part of his plea agreement, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, which he can serve along with his sentence from the state trial
Lane, Thao and Kueng have pleaded not guilty to the charges.