A federal grand jury has indicted four former Minneapolis police officers, including convicted officer Derek Chauvin, saying they violated George Floyd’s constitutional rights.
The Associated Press reported that three counts were handed down against Chauvin, Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao.
Chauvin, Thao and Kueng face charges that they violated Floyd’s right to be free from unreasonable seizure and excessive force.
They, along with Lane, are also charged with failure to provide Floyd with medical care.
Chauvin is facing an additional charge related to the arrest of a 14-year-old boy, where he is accused of using a neck restraint on the teen, the AP reported.
Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter last month and is awaiting sentencing.
The other officers are scheduled to go on trial in August but are free on bond.
It’s been nearly a year since Floyd died when Chauvin held him on the ground and placed his knee on the 46-year-old man’s neck for more than nine minutes. Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe. Prosecutors said Kueng knelt on Floyd’s back, while Lane held down Floyd’s legs. Thao kept bystanders away and prevented them from helping.
During Chauvin’s trial, his attorney claimed it wasn’t the restraint but Floyd’s underlying health conditions and past drug use that caused his death.
Chauvin has requested a new trial for multiple reasons, including the judge’s refusal to move the trial because of publicity, the AP reported.
Cox Media Group
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