Four former Minneapolis police officers accused of violating George Floyd’s civil rights are scheduled to appear in federal court Tuesday in a hearing that could also address some preventive motions.
A grand federal jury charged Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao in May for allegedly depriving Floyd of his rights while acting under government authority on May 25, 2020, as Floyd, 46, it was closed upside down, handcuffed, and unable to resist a restraint that was captured in the viewer’s video. His death sparked protests around the world and called for a change in police.
At federal prosecution hearings, defendants can read the charges and usually plead guilty. The parties were due to appear in court on Tuesday by video conference.
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Prosecutors and lawyers for the former agents could also argue several motions on Tuesday.
Among them, Kueng and Thao have called for separating their federal trials from Chauvin’s, saying they would have unfair prejudices if they went to trial alongside him. Lane asked to join this request, which prosecutors oppose. It was not immediately known whether this issue will appear in the hearing on Tuesday, because both parties have agreed that the request was premature and have asked to put it aside until further information is developed, according to court documents.
The federal indictment alleges that Chauvin violated Floyd’s right to be free from unjustified embargo and irrational force by a police officer. Thao and Kueng are accused of violating Floyd’s right to be free from unwarranted confiscations by not intervening to stop Chauvin while kneeling on Floyd’s neck. The four agents are also accused of depriving Floyd of his rights when they were unable to provide him with medical care.
During Floyd’s arrest, he repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe, as Chauvin nailed him to the ground. Kueng and Lane helped stop Floyd; Kueng knelt on Floyd’s back and Lane held Floyd’s legs, according to state court evidence. Thao stopped the spectators and prevented them from intervening during the 9 and a half minute restraint.
The four officers were also charged in state court, where Chauvin’s trial was eventually separated from the others due to space restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chauvin was convicted in April of murder and manslaughter and sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison. The other three ex-officers will face a state trial next March to help and incite the charges.
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Chauvin is also charged in an independent federal indictment for violating the civil rights of a 14-year-old boy in 2017.
Meanwhile, the federal government is investigating police practices in Minneapolis. The investigation known as “pattern or practice” – examining whether there is an unconstitutional or illegal police pattern or practice – includes a thorough review of the entire police department. It can lead to major changes in policing in the city of Minnesota.