Former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane pleaded guilty on Wednesday to aiding and abetting manslaughter in George Floyd’s killing in 2020.
As part of Wednesday’s plea deal, Lane agreed to a sentence of three years that will be served concurrently with his federal sentence for violating Floyd’s civil rights. His federal sentence has not yet been set.
Lane, along with ex-cops J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, was already convicted on federal counts of violating the civil rights of Floyd, the 46-year-old black man by their former colleague, Derek Chauvin.
Chauvin was convicted of murder last year in Floyd’s death and pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights violation. He was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison in the state case, but has yet to be sentenced in the federal case.
Attorneys for the fellow ex-cops were also in the courthouse Wednesday, but did not discuss plea deals for their clients, according to
‘Today my thoughts are once again with the victims, George Floyd and his family. Nothing will bring Floyd back. He should still be with us today,’ Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement.
Ellison added that he was pleased Lane accepted his role in Floyd’s death.
‘His acknowledgement he did something wrong is an important step toward healing the wounds of the Floyd family, our community, and the nation. While accountability is not justice, this is a significant moment in this case and a necessary resolution on our continued journey to justice,’ he said.
Lane’s sentencing in state court has been set for September 21. A sentencing date for the federal case has not been set.
Kueng and Thao have not pleaded guilty in the state case. The state is preparing for their trial on charges of second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter to begin June 13, Ellison said.
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