(Fwrd Axis) — The three former Minneapolis police officers, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, who assisted in the killing of George Floyd have been found guilty on all civil rights charges by a federal jury.
Former officers Kueng, Lane, and Thao were convicted of using their positions as cops, to deprive George Floyd of his civil rights by willfully being indifferent to his medical needs.
Two of the former officers, Kueng and Thao, were hit with an extra charge for their failure to intervene while Chauvin was slowly killing Floyd on May 25, 2020, in front of the Cup Foods store.
“Lane, Kueng and Thao failed to help Floyd.. contrary to their training, contrary to common sense and contrary to basic human dignity,” said Manda Sertich, federal prosecuting attorney.
George Floyd, 46 at the time of his murder, begged the former Minneapolis police officers for help as he fought to stay alive with a knee on his neck — sparking global protests and months of civil unrest against police brutality.
Derek Chauvin had 18 complaints over his 19-year career as a police officer, 16 closed without discipline. Chauvin was also indicted on federal civil rights charges for choking a 14-year-old and beating him with a flashlight.
Floyd was unarmed and didn’t resist during the public lynching that was courageously captured on video by Darnella Frazier. He was accused of using a counterfeit $20 bill.
“Today closes another important chapter in our journey for justice for George Floyd and his family. These officers tried to devise any excuse that could let them wash the blood from their hands, but following these verdicts George’s blood will forever stain them,” the George Floyd Legal Team released in a statement shortly after the verdict was announced.
The disgraced officers face a maximum of life in prison when they’re sentenced, but federal guidelines allow a judge to deliver any sentence, which means they could also receive much lighter prison time.
Lane, Kueng, and Thao are now awaiting their state trial in Minnesota.
Police killed at least 64 people during Derek Chauvin’s trial last year and 41 people in the U.S. so far in 2022. It’s not about convicting four men. It’s about fixing the whole damn system. Rest In Peace George Floyd.
