Former Minneapolis police officer, Thomas Lane, received a 2 1/2 year sentence for his role in George Floyd’s death. U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson sentenced Lane on Thursday (July 21) for a federal civil rights charge.

Lane was convicted for depriving Floyd of medical care while he laid under former officer Derek Chauvin’s knee in May 2020. Lane held Floyd’s legs as Chauvin kneed the back of his neck for nine minutes. Two other officers, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, were convicted for violating the victim’s civil rights and will receive a sentence at a later date. Federal prosecutors sought a 6 1/2 year sentence, but Lane’s attorneys asked for a little over two years, arguing that their client asked his partners twice if Floyd should be turned on his side.

On Thursday (July 7), Chauvin was found guilty of violating the civil rights of George Floyd. He pleaded guilty in December 2021 and admitted that he kept his knee on Floyd’s neck even after he became unresponsive. Chauvin accepted a plea deal for a prison sentence of 20 to 25 years, and the 199 days served will be credited.

The agreement prohibits Chauvin from possessing firearms, ammunition, or explosives for life. The former Minneapolis police officer is lawfully required to provide DNA samples and register as a predatory offender. In June 2021, Judge Peter Cahill found Chauvin guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter after kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes.

Before announcing the sentence, Judge Cahill said, “As opposed to me being profound here on the record, I prefer that you read the legal analysis that determines the sentencing of this case. What the sentence is not based on is emotion or sympathy. But at the same time, I want to acknowledge the deep and tremendous pain the families are experiencing, especially the Floyd family. You have our sympathy, and I acknowledge and hear the pain you’re feeling.”