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Prosecutors Rest Case Against Former Minneapolis Police Officers Charged with Violating George Floyd's Civil Rights

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The prosecution against three former Minneapolis police officers, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao, accused of violating George Floyd's civil rights, rested after nearly three weeks of testimony. The defense is expected to start presenting witnesses on Tuesday, with both Thao and Kueng planning to testify. Lane's attorney has indicated that he may also take the stand. The prosecution presented testimony from doctors, police officers, and bystanders, including the teenager who recorded the widely seen video of Floyd's killing.

Key Takeaways:

  • The prosecution rested its case against Kueng, Lane, and Thao, after nearly three weeks of testimony.
  • Thao and Kueng plan to testify as part of their defense, with Lane's attorney indicating that he may also take the stand.
  • The prosecution presented testimony from doctors, police officers, and bystanders, including the teenager who recorded the video of Floyd's killing.
  • Use-of-force expert Tim Longo testified that the officers should have intervened to stop Derek Chauvin's excessive force.
  • Longo stated that an officer has a duty to take "affirmative steps" to stop another officer from using excessive force.
  • Chauvin, who is white, was convicted of murder and manslaughter in state court and later pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights charge.
  • Kueng, who is Black, Lane, who is white, and Thao, who is Hmong American, face a separate state trial in June on charges alleging that they aided and abetted murder and manslaughter.
  • Darnella Frazier, who witnessed Floyd's killing, testified that she knew he needed medical care when he became unresponsive and that Thao appeared to be protecting bystanders rather than Floyd.
  • Frazier said Floyd "was the only one who needed protection at that moment."
  • Floyd did not resist arrest, but rather "really try to find comfort in his situation ... try to breathe and get more oxygen."

Statistics:

  • The trial is expected to continue on Tuesday with the defense presenting witnesses.
  • 46-year-old George Floyd died after being restrained by police on May 25, 2020.
  • The officers charged with violating Floyd's civil rights are J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao.
  • The trial has heard testimony from 20+ witnesses, including doctors, police officers, and bystanders.
  • 9 1/2 minutes is the amount of time that Officer Derek Chauvin's knee was on Floyd's neck.

Sources:

  • Associated Press news wire
  • AP's full coverage of the killing of George Floyd: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd

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