Ex-Minn. cop Lane pleads guilty to manslaughter in George Floyd killing
One of the four former Minneapolis police officers charged with crimes related to the death of George Floyd pleaded guilty Wednesday to aiding and abetting manslaughter, admitting that he restrained the Black man in a way that caused his death.
Thomas Lane held down Floyd’s leg as a fellow cop, Derek Chauvin, knelt on Floyd’s neck for a horrific eight minutes and 46 seconds.
Lane, as well as ex-cops J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, were previously convicted of federal charges for willfully violating Floyd’s civil rights. The police killing of Floyd, 46, in May 2020 sparked nationwide racial justice protests.
Disturbing video footage captured Chauvin ignoring the pleas of onlookers and Floyd himself, who repeatedly said he could not breathe. Lane continued holding Floyd’s legs as Kueng knelt on his back. Thao kept the crowd at bay during the killing.
In his plea agreement, Lane admitted that he knew from training that restraining Floyd in that way created a serious risk of death. He acknowledged hearing Floyd say he couldn’t breathe, knew Floyd fell silent, had no pulse and appeared to have lost consciousness.
Lane even asked twice if Floyd should be rolled on his side — as training suggests — but the cop continued holding Floyd down despite the danger. Lane agreed the restraint was “unreasonable under the circumstances and constituted an unlawful use of force.”
The two-year anniversary of Floyd’s killing is next week. Chauvin pleaded guilty last year to violating Floyd’s civil rights and faces a federal sentence of between 20 and 25 years. He was previously convicted of murder and manslaughter in Minnesota and sentenced to nearly 23 years.
In Lane’s case, prosecutors have recommended a threeyear sentence for the manslaughter charge and agreed to let him serve his time in federal prison. A more serious charge of aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder will be dismissed as part of Lane’s plea deal.
None of the former officers have been sentenced in federal court.
“His acknowledgment he did something wrong is an important step toward healing the wounds of the Floyd family, our community, and the nation,” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said. “While accountability is not justice, this is a significant moment in this case and a necessary resolution on our continued journey to justice.”
Kueng and Thao are scheduled to go on trial in June. They remain free on bond as they await trial.