George Floyd Trial Update: 3 Ex-Minneapolis Police Officers 'Guilty' on Federal Charges in Floyd's Killing

A new development in the George Floyd case came to light on Thursday when the three former Minneapolis police officers were convicted for violating the Black man's civil rights.

A federal jury did not accept their arguments that inexperience, improper training, or the distraction of shouting bystanders excused them from failing to prevent the death of Floyd, ABC News reported.

J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao were convicted of depriving the 46-year-old Black man of his right to medical care.

Their fellow police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled for nine and a half minutes on Floyd's neck while the Black man was handcuffed and face down on the street in May 2020. Kueng knelt on Floyd's back while Lane held his legs, and Thao kept the crowd of bystanders back.

Kueng and Thao were also convicted of not intervening to stop Chauvin from using excessive force. They had pleaded not guilty.

Lane shook his head and looked at his lawyer as his verdict was read, while Thao and Kueng showed no apparent reaction, and their attorneys declined to comment afterward.

Charles Kovats, acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota, said the convictions should serve as a reminder that all sworn law enforcement officers have a duty to intervene.

Kovats added that the police officers had a legal obligation, a moral responsibility, and a duty to intervene, and by failing to do so, they committed a crime.

Ex-Minneapolis Police Officers on Trial for Killing George Floyd

The jury started deliberating on Wednesday morning after a month-long trial. Prosecutors argued during their closing arguments that the defendants had "front-row seats" to George Floyd's killing and chose not to do anything to help him as Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck, NBC News reported.

On the other hand, defense attorneys claimed that the former police officers did not get adequate training, and they relied on Chauvin being the most experienced officer on the scene.

In a statement, Ben Crump and other attorneys representing Floyd's family said the officers tried to create an excuse that could "let them wash the blood from their hands."

They added that the guilty verdicts should be a guiding example of why police departments across the nation should expand and prioritize instruction on an officer's duty to intervene and recognize when a fellow officer is using excessive force.

Federal Jury for George Floyd's Death

According to Al Jazeera, the jurors were allowed to watch videos from the scene and view other evidence as much as they wanted during deliberations. Thao, Kueng, and Lane are each facing up to life in prison.

The three men are scheduled for trial in June on state charges of aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter.

Robert Paule, a defense attorney for Thao, said that Floyd's death was tragic. However, he noted that "just because something has a tragic ending does not mean it's a crime."

All three former police officers in Minneapolis testified during the trial. Lane was the third officer to testify, and he choked back tears while he was testifying. Lane said he tried to assist paramedics after he could not locate Floyd's pulse.

Meanwhile, Derek Chauvin was already convicted on state murder and manslaughter charges in April last year and was sentenced to 22 1/2 years.

In December, he pleaded guilty to violating George Floyd's civil rights and was waiting for sentencing in the federal case.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Former Minneapolis Police Officers Convicted of Violating George Floyd's Civil Rights - From PBS NewsHour