{"id":20947,"date":"2022-01-21T05:53:26","date_gmt":"2022-01-21T10:53:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=20947"},"modified":"2022-01-21T05:53:26","modified_gmt":"2022-01-21T10:53:26","slug":"george-floyd-federal-civil-rights-trial-of-three-ex-officers-begins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2022\/01\/21\/george-floyd-federal-civil-rights-trial-of-three-ex-officers-begins\/","title":{"rendered":"George Floyd: Federal civil rights trial of three ex-officers begins"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">A federal civil rights trial for three US ex-police officers indicted in the murder of George Floyd has begun in Minneapolis.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">J Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao helped senior officer Derek Chauvin detain Mr Floyd for allegedly handing a counterfeit bill.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Chauvin was filmed pressing his knee into the unarmed black man&#8217;s neck for more than nine minutes before he died.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">His death, filmed by a bystander, led to global protests in 2020.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Chauvin was convicted last June of murder and is currently serving time in state prison. In December, he pleaded guilty to federal charges of violating Mr Floyd&#8217;s civil rights, averting a second trial.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Federal prosecutors allege the officers &#8220;wilfully deprived&#8221; Mr Floyd of his civil liberties during the attempted arrest and have submitted a list of 48 witnesses they could call to the stand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"unordered-list-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pzprxn-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li><a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-us-canada-56270334\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Why was trial over George Floyd killing so important?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-us-canada-59671567\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Derek Chauvin pleads guilty in Floyd civil case<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Jury selection was completed in a single day on Thursday. The court expects to begin opening arguments next Monday with a full bench of 12 jurors and six alternates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Two of the selected jurors appear to be Asian and the others are white,<a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.startribune.com\/jury-selection-begins-today-in-federal-trial-for-the-other-officers-in-george-floyd-death\/600137733\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune newspaper<\/a>. The selected jury are composed of five men and seven women.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Judge Paul Magnuson questioned one juror on whether his daughter&#8217;s involvement in protests in the wake of Mr Floyd&#8217;s death would allow him to remain impartial. When the man said it would not affect his judgement, the judge responded that his granddaughter also &#8220;kind of got caught&#8221; up in the same thing, the newspaper reported.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">The three men will also face their own state charges &#8211; for aiding and abetting Chauvin &#8211; in a separate trial later this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Here is what we know about the four former police officers and the charges they face.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dm4ypg-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper e1xue1i88\" data-component=\"subheadline-block\">\n<h2 id=\"subheadline-13\" class=\"ssrcss-1gsdda0-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span role=\"text\">Thomas Lane<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i89\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-wpgbih-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1hq4gmv-Placeholder e16icw910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-1drmwog-Image ee0ct7c0\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/3FCA\/production\/_112803361_061781185-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/3FCA\/production\/_112803361_061781185-1.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/3FCA\/production\/_112803361_061781185-1.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/3FCA\/production\/_112803361_061781185-1.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/3FCA\/production\/_112803361_061781185-1.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/3FCA\/production\/_112803361_061781185-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/3FCA\/production\/_112803361_061781185-1.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Former Minnesota police officer Thomas Lane\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-5ccyy0-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1yybcoc-Stack e1y4nx260\">Thomas Lane was four days into the job when the incident happened (Image: Reuters)<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">What was his role?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Mr Lane, 38, was one of the first two officers called to the shop reporting a counterfeit $20 bill. At the scene, he approached Mr Floyd&#8217;s car, pointed his gun at him and handcuffed him. He later allegedly held a struggling Mr Floyd&#8217;s feet as Chauvin and Mr Kueng restrained him on the ground.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">What are the charges?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">He has been charged with one count of depriving Mr Floyd of his civil rights using &#8220;the colour of the law&#8221;, including that he ignored the arrestee&#8217;s &#8220;right to be free from a police officer&#8217;s deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">What&#8217;s his background?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Mr Lane became a cadet at the police department in February 2019, but started working for the force just four days prior to Mr Floyd&#8217;s death.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">His training officer was Chauvin.\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ag.state.mn.us\/Office\/Communications\/2020\/docs\/Complaint_Lane.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A criminal complaint against Mr Lane<\/a>\u00a0claims he questioned Chauvin&#8217;s tactics during the arrest of Mr Floyd, asking: &#8220;Should we roll him on his side?&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">The ex-officer had no track record of complaints.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">A criminology graduate from the University of Minnesota, Mr Lane used to work as a guard at a juvenile detention centre and volunteered to mentor Somali school children.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dm4ypg-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper e1xue1i88\" data-component=\"subheadline-block\">\n<h2 id=\"subheadline-24\" class=\"ssrcss-1gsdda0-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span role=\"text\">J Alexander Kueng<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i89\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-wpgbih-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1hq4gmv-Placeholder e16icw910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-1drmwog-Image ee0ct7c0\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/8DEA\/production\/_112803363_061781142-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/8DEA\/production\/_112803363_061781142-1.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/8DEA\/production\/_112803363_061781142-1.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/8DEA\/production\/_112803363_061781142-1.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/8DEA\/production\/_112803363_061781142-1.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/8DEA\/production\/_112803363_061781142-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/8DEA\/production\/_112803363_061781142-1.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Former Minnesota police officer J Alexander Kueng\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-5ccyy0-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1yybcoc-Stack e1y4nx260\">Mr Kueng entered the police force in February 2019 as a cadet (Image: Reuters)<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">What was his role?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Mr Kueng, 27, was first on the scene with Mr Lane. He helped Chauvin and Mr Lane pin Mr Floyd to the floor. He was also the first to find Mr Floyd no longer had a pulse.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">What are the charges?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">He faces two counts of using &#8220;the colour of the law&#8221; to deprive Mr Floyd of his civil rights, including that he &#8220;wilfully failed to intervene&#8221; to stop Chauvin using his knee on the arrestee&#8217;s neck.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">What&#8217;s his background?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Like Mr Lane, Mr Kueng was relatively new to policing, entering the force in Minneapolis in February 2019 as a cadet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">According to\u00a0<a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/06\/27\/us\/minneapolis-police-officer-kueng.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a New York Times profile<\/a>, Mr Kueng &#8211; whose mother is white and father is Nigerian &#8211; believed &#8220;diversity could force change in a Police Department long accused of racism&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">He and Mr Lane graduated in the same recruit class and were promoted to officers in December 2019, with Chauvin as their field training officer. There were no previous complaints against him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">The death of Mr Floyd happened on his third shift.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Mr Kueng, who also speaks Russian, attended the University of Minnesota, where he studied sociology.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dm4ypg-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper e1xue1i88\" data-component=\"subheadline-block\">\n<h2 id=\"subheadline-36\" class=\"ssrcss-1gsdda0-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span role=\"text\">Tou Thao<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i89\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-wpgbih-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1hq4gmv-Placeholder e16icw910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-1drmwog-Image ee0ct7c0\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/DC0A\/production\/_112803365_061781111-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/DC0A\/production\/_112803365_061781111-1.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/DC0A\/production\/_112803365_061781111-1.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/DC0A\/production\/_112803365_061781111-1.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/DC0A\/production\/_112803365_061781111-1.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/DC0A\/production\/_112803365_061781111-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/DC0A\/production\/_112803365_061781111-1.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Former Minnesota police officer Tou Thao\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-5ccyy0-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1yybcoc-Stack e1y4nx260\">Mr Thao had previously worked in security and food service (Image: Reuters)<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">What was his role?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Mr Thao, 35, stood near the other three officers while they restrained Mr Floyd. He stood between the officers and bystanders, telling the growing crowd to keep its distance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">What are the charges?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">He also faces two counts of using &#8220;the colour of the law&#8221; to deprive Mr Floyd of his civil rights.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">What&#8217;s his background?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Mr Thao &#8211; a Hmong American &#8211; completed his police academy training in 2009 but was laid off when the force made budget cuts. He re-joined as an officer in 2012.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Up to his sacking, Mr Thao had six conduct complaints on his record. Five were closed without discipline and one was open at the time of his firing, but no details have been made public about any of the complaints.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Food service and security are among the sectors Mr Thao previously worked in.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dm4ypg-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper e1xue1i88\" data-component=\"subheadline-block\">\n<h2 id=\"subheadline-46\" class=\"ssrcss-1gsdda0-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span role=\"text\">Derek Chauvin<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i89\" data-component=\"image-block\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_17151\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17151\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Derek-Chauvin.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17151\" src=\"http:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Derek-Chauvin.jpg\" alt=\"Derek Chauvin\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Derek-Chauvin.jpg 500w, https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Derek-Chauvin-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-17151\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Derek Chauvin was convicted of the murder of George Floyd<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">What was his role?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Chauvin, 45, was filmed kneeling on Mr Floyd&#8217;s neck while he was handcuffed on the floor repeatedly pleading &#8220;I can&#8217;t breathe&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">What are the charges?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. He was convicted on all three counts and was sentenced last June to 22-and-a-half years in state prison. He is appealing his state murder conviction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">In December 2021, he pleaded guilty to federal civil rights charges stemming from the Floyd incident and an unrelated 2017 case of unreasonable force. Federal prosecutors have recommended a 25-year sentence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">What&#8217;s his background?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Chauvin was the most senior officer involved in Mr Floyd&#8217;s arrest, serving for almost 19 years with the Minneapolis Police Department.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Records from the Minneapolis Police Department&#8217;s Internal Affairs Division reportedly show at least 15 conduct complaints against him. Most were closed without disciplinary action.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">In 2006, Chauvin was recommended for a medal of valour for his role in the shooting of a man who aimed a shotgun at officers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"unordered-list-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pzprxn-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li><a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-us-canada-52942105\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Why I decided not to watch Floyd&#8217;s video<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ssrcss-9nsdc6-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-us-canada-56825822\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The murder that drove America to the brink<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Prior to his career in the police, Chauvin served two stints in the US Army, as a member of the military police.<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-us-canada-52969205\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\">A federal civil rights trial for three US ex-police officers indicted in the murder of George Floyd has begun in Minneapolis. J Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao helped senior officer Derek Chauvin detain <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2022\/01\/21\/george-floyd-federal-civil-rights-trial-of-three-ex-officers-begins\/\" title=\"George Floyd: Federal civil rights trial of three ex-officers begins\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17197,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[109,2,3],"tags":[7213,7214,8255,6179,7639,7638],"class_list":{"0":"post-20947","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-headline","8":"category-news","9":"category-usa","10":"tag-derek-chauvin","11":"tag-george-floyd","12":"tag-j-alexander-kueng","13":"tag-minneapolis","14":"tag-thomas-lane","15":"tag-tou-thao","16":"pmpro-has-access"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20947","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20947"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20947\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20949,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20947\/revisions\/20949"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17197"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}