Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Last Two Ex-Officers Involved in George Floyd's Death Sentenced to Prison


Thu 28 Jul 2022 | 10:01 AM
Yara Sameh

A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced two former Minneapolis police officers who assisted in the fatal arrest of George Floyd have been sentenced on federal civil rights charges.

J Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao were convicted in February of violating the unarmed man's civil rights by failing to provide care or intervene.

U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson sentenced Kueng to spend three years behind bars, while Thao was sentenced to 42 months.

They were the last of the four officers involved in Mr. Floyd’s death to be convicted in prison.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="3000"]Last 2 Officers Involved in George Floyd's Death Are Sentenced to Prison -  The New York Times The former Minneapolis police officers J. Alexander Kueng, center, and Tou Thao, left[/caption]

Floyd's death, filmed by a bystander, led to global protests. For nine minutes, while lead officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck, Kueng held his feet while Thao held back bystanders.

The former cop was convicted last June of murder and is currently serving time in state prison. In December, he pleaded guilty to federal charges of violating Floyd's civil rights, averting a second trial.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Thomas Lane Sentenced for Violating George Floyd's Civil Rights - The New  York Times The former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane, right[/caption]

Thao, 36, Kueng, 28, and a third officer, Thomas K Lane, 39, were present during the murder and had been charged with showing deliberate indifference to Floyd's serious medical needs.

Lane was sentenced last week to two-and-a-half years in prison. First, at the scene with Chauvin, he held Floyd's legs as he gasped for air. Footage showed him asking Chauvin twice if Floyd should be rolled onto his side so he could breathe. Chauvin was a field training officer to both Lane and Kueng.