Lawyers for ex-cops raise Floyd’s history of crime

MINNEAPOLIS — An attorney for one of four former Minneapolis officers charged in George Floyd’s death is highlighting Floyd’s past crimes and history of drug use, calling him an ex-con and “evident danger to the community.”

Another is seizing on Floyd’s medical issues and addiction, saying he likely died from fentanyl, not a knee on his neck.

Experts say the strategy may resonate with a potential jury pool, even if much of what is said now never comes up at a trial set for next spring.

Floyd, a Black man who was in handcuffs, died May 25 after Derek Chauvin pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe and became motionless.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter.

Bystander video of Floyd’s arrest circulated around the world, sparking protests.

The former officers are in court Friday for a hearing on several issues, including a prosecution request to try the men together and defense requests to move the trial away from

Minneapolis. Defense requests to dismiss charges won’t be addressed at the hearing.

In documents requesting dismissal, Lane’s attorney, Earl Gray, wrote about Floyd’s prior charges of armed robbery and drug possession in Texas. He called Floyd an ex-con, a violent defendant, a liar, an addict, a drug distributor and a danger.

Ben Crump, an attorney for Floyd’s family, rejected that approach.

“Everything you need to know is on that horrific video,” Crump said. “When police do inexcusable things, the defense is always to kill the victim all over again by dredging up their history and assassinating their character.”