Jury selection is set to begin in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers accused of contributing to George Floyd’s 2020 death.
J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao are federally charged with violating Floyd’s constitutional rights while incarcerated ex-cop Derek Chauvin applied deadly pressure to Floyd’s neck with his knee. Kueng, Lane and Thao are also facing separate state charges of aiding and abetting both murder and manslaughter, the trial for which was recently postponed.
According to ABC News, potential jurors have already filled out an extensive questionnaire about the case and will report to a federal courtroom in St. Paul, Minnesota on Thursday (Jan. 20) where they’ll be questioned by presiding U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson.
A panel of 18 jurors will ultimately be selected, including 12 jurors and six alternates. Judge Magnuson estimated that the process will take two days.
As reported by REVOLT, Chauvin was convicted of state murder and manslaughter charges last April and is currently serving a 22 1/2-year prison sentence. In December, he pleaded guilty to a federal count of violating Floyd’s constitutional rights.
According to ABC, prosecutors must prove that Kueng, Lane and Thao willfully violated Floyd’s rights. In bodycam footage of the deadly interaction, Kueng was seen kneeling on Floyd’s back while Chauvin knelt on his neck as he gasped for air. Lane was seen restraining Floyd’s legs, while Thao kept the horrified onlookers from intervening.
The cops’ federal indictment claims that all three of them knew Floyd needed medical attention, but refused to get him care. Kueng, Lane and Thao are also accused of willfully depriving the 46-year-old of his right to be free from Chauvin’s “deliberate indifference” to his medical needs.
Thao and Kueng are additionally charged with willfully violating Floyd’s right to be free from unreasonable seizure since they did not stop Chauvin from kneeling on his neck. It’s unclear why Lane is not also facing that charge.
Federal civil rights violations resulting in death can be punishable with life sentences or even the death penalty. However, according to the Associated Press, maximum sentences in federal cases like this are extremely rare and it’s more likely that, if convicted, the former cops will receive a lighter sentence.