A former Minneapolis Police Officer Tou Thao was convicted of manslaughter and found guilty of aiding the dangerous restraint that leads to the death of George Floyd three years ago.
Former Minneapolis Police Officer Convicted
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was accused of trying to make a store purchase with a counterfeit bill. George Floyd died after a police officer pinned him to the ground with his knee for 9 and a half minutes, CBS News reported. The police officer was identified as Derek Chauvin. Tou Thao held back bystanders while Chauvin restrained Floyd.
Hennepin County judge issued a ruling for Tou Thao that he is also accountable for the incident. He is one of the four former officers who have faced charges in the incident.
Video footage during the arrest taken by bystanders went viral and shook the country because of its violence. The incident reckoned the nation over police brutality and racism.
Footage released by Minneapolis Police Department could be heard Thao telling the crowd, “This is why you don’t do drugs, kids.” An off-duty firefighter was also instructed by Thao to back off when the firefighter asked to check Floyd’s pulse.
Judge Cahill ordered an investigation and scheduled a hearing for Thao’s hearing on Aug. 7. The other two Kueng and Lane were also convicted of civil rights violations in connection to George Floyd’s death. Thao was sentenced to 3 and a half years, 3 years for Kueng, and 2 and a half years in prison for Lane. Chauvin was convicted in 2021 during a trial presided by Cahill and sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison.
Former Minneapolis Police Officers’ Federal Sentence
The four former Minneapolis police officers will serve their state and federal sentences together. Only Thao has not admitted and never pleaded guilty to charges. While Kueng and Lane entered guilty pleas.
On the other hand. Judge Cahill’s decision concluded that the evidence, in this case, proves that Thao aided and abetted manslaughter in the second degree on May 25, 2020.
Overall, Tou Thao, a former Minneapolis officer who was convicted for aiding George Floyd’s death was dropped. Although he did not plead guilty, Judge Cahill’s decision concluded all the evidence and proves Thao aided manslaughter of George Floyd.
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