What Happened To George Floyd Police Officers: Latest Updates
The death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black American man, at the hands of Minneapolis police in May 2020 shocked the world. It sparked the Black Lives Matter movement. But what happened to the officers involved in this tragic event? This article explores the criminal charges, convictions, and the aftermath for the four police officers responsible for Floyd’s death.
Key Takeaways
- Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of killing George Floyd, was transferred to a federal prison in Texas after being stabbed 22 times in a different facility.
- Thomas Lane, another former Minneapolis officer involved in restraining Floyd, was released from federal prison in Colorado after serving a three-year sentence for aiding and abetting manslaughter.
- J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, the other officers involved in the incident, are set to be released from prison in 2025, with Kueng in Ohio and Thao in Kentucky.
- Chauvin is attempting to overturn his federal guilty plea, claiming new evidence refutes his role in causing Floyd’s death, facing potential release in 2038 if unsuccessful.
- Minneapolis reached settlements in lawsuits related to Chauvin’s excessive force prior to Floyd’s death and agreed to a $27 million settlement with Floyd’s estate.
Initial Arrest and Events Leading to George Floyd’s Death
On May 25, 2020, a tragic incident happened in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It led to the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man. The trouble started when employees at Cup Foods reported Floyd used a fake $20 bill for a purchase.
The $20 Bill Incident at Cup Foods
Officers Kueng and Lane arrived at 8:08 PM. They drew their weapons. Floyd was handcuffed and said he couldn’t breathe because of claustrophobia.
Police Officer Response and Initial Confrontation
Soon, Officer Derek Chauvin joined the scene. Floyd begged to breathe, but Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes. People nearby cried out for help.
The Fatal Nine Minutes
People recorded the awful scene. Floyd lost consciousness as Chauvin kept the pressure. Sadly, the officers didn’t help, leading to Floyd’s death.
“I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe, officer.”
The autopsy showed Floyd’s death was a homicide. This caused worldwide outrage and protests against police brutality, racism, and lack of accountability.
George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police, especially Derek Chauvin, is a key moment in the fight for racial justice and police reform in the U.S.
Derek Chauvin’s Criminal Charges and Conviction
Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis Police Officer, faced serious charges for George Floyd’s death. He was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in state prison.
Chauvin also pleaded guilty to federal civil rights charges. He admitted to violating George Floyd’s right to be free from unreasonable force. This caused Floyd’s death. Chauvin also admitted to violating a 14-year-old’s rights in another case. For these federal crimes, he got a 21-year sentence, to run at the same time as his state sentence.
| Charge | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Second-degree unintentional murder | Up to 40 years in prison |
| Third-degree murder | Up to 25 years in prison |
| Second-degree manslaughter | Up to 10 years in prison |
| Federal civil rights violations | 21 years in federal prison |
Prosecutors showed that Chauvin used too much force, against police rules, leading to Floyd’s death. The defense said Chauvin followed proper training. But the jury found him guilty on all counts, based on strong evidence.
“Chauvin’s actions resulted in George Floyd’s senseless murder and injury to the 14-year-old child.”
What Happened To George Floyd Police Officers After Arrest
After George Floyd’s death, the four police officers involved faced serious legal consequences. They were charged with both federal civil rights violations and state-level criminal charges.
Federal Civil Rights Violations
Former MPD officers Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng were found guilty of federal civil rights offenses. The jury found that Thao, Kueng, and Derek Chauvin violated Mr. Floyd’s constitutional rights. This led to his bodily injury and death.
State Criminal Charges
The former officers also faced state-level criminal charges. Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder in state court. Kueng, Thao, and Thomas Lane were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.
Sentencing Details
The sentences for the former officers varied. Chauvin got the harshest punishment. He was sentenced to 22.5 years in state prison for Floyd’s murder and 21 years in federal prison for violating his civil rights. These sentences are to be served concurrently.
Kueng, Thao, and Lane received shorter sentences. They got 2.5 to 3.5 years for their roles in the incident.
The jury’s verdict and the sentencing of the former officers highlight the gravity of their actions. It shows the importance of holding law enforcement accountable for civil rights violations and aiding and abetting in cases of excessive force and concurrent sentences.
Thomas Lane’s Prison Sentence and Release
Federal Prison Term Details
Thomas Lane, a former Minneapolis police officer, was sentenced to 2.5 years in federal prison. This was for his role in the tragic death of George Floyd. He served his time at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Englewood in Colorado.
His federal sentence ran at the same time as a 3-year state sentence. This meant he finished his federal term earlier this year. His state charges sentence ended with his recent release.
Current Status and Release Conditions
After his prison term, Lane will spend a year on supervised release. This is supervised by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. This step is key to his reintegration into society.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison hopes Lane will successfully re-enter society. He understands the case’s complexities and the need for rehabilitation and accountability.
Lane’s case shows the challenges of sentencing and release with multiple jurisdictions and charges. He was the first of the four ex-Minneapolis officers to finish his sentence. The others, like Derek Chauvin, face longer prison terms.
This highlights the ongoing efforts to address racial injustice and police brutality. It’s all in the wake of George Floyd’s tragic death.
Key Questions
What happened to the police officers involved in George Floyd’s death?
The four officers – Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao – were fired. They faced charges for George Floyd’s death.
What were the criminal charges against Derek Chauvin?
Derek Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He got 22.5 years in state prison.
What happened to the other three officers involved?
J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao faced federal civil rights charges. Chauvin pleaded guilty. The others were found guilty at trial. They got sentences ranging from 2.5 to 22.5 years on state charges.
What was the outcome of Thomas Lane’s case?
Thomas Lane got 2.5 years in federal prison and 3 years on state charges. He was released from federal prison in Colorado on February 26, 2024. He will be under supervision after his release.
