Trial of officers in Floyd killing delayed

ST. PAUL, MINN. >> The federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s rights was abruptly suspended Wednesday after one defendant tested positive for COVID-19.

Judge Paul Magnuson said the trial for J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao won’t resume until Monday. They are accused of depriving Floyd of his rights when they failed to give him medical aid as Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the Black man’s neck for 9½ minutes while Floyd was handcuffed, facedown and gasping for air. Kueng and Thao are also accused of failing to intervene in the May 2020 killing that triggered protests worldwide and a reexamination of racism and policing.

The judge said that one of the defendants tested positive, but didn’t name him, and a news release from the courthouse identified the person only as a “case participant.” Reporters in the courtroom said Kueng and Thao were there, while Lane was not. Lane’s attorney declined to say whether his client had COVID-19.

The court’s news release said the person would be tested again before the trial resumes, as will all other case participants who had been near that person.

Testimony began last week after a jury was quickly selected on Jan. 20. Magnuson ordered the selection of six alternates instead of the usual two in case any jurors became ill and had to drop out.

To ensure social distancing, Magnuson set limits on who can be in the courtroom. That includes allowing only four pool reporters plus a sketch artist, along with a limited number of family and friends of the officers and Floyd.