MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPT. 11: Former Minneapolis police officer J. Alexander Kueng was screamed at by protesters as he walked to a car with fellow former officer Thomas Lane from the Hennepin County Family Justice Center following a hearing on several pending motions in the cases against four former officers in the killing of George Floyd. A judge heard oral arguments on several pending motions in the cases against four former officers in the killing of George Floyd, including motions to dismiss the cases, Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 at the Hennepin County Family Justice Center in downtown Minneapolis. (Photo by Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
On Monday, former Minneapolis officer J. Alexander Kueng pled guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter when it comes to the murder of George Floyd.
According to the Associated Press, his guilty plea, which came just as the jury selection for his trial was set to begin, is a part of a plea deal that seeks at least 3 1/2 years in prison, as prosecutors agree to drop a count of aiding and abetting second-degree murder. Kueng has now become the second officer to plead guilty to the state charge.
Earlier this year, Thomas Lane pleaded guilty, while Tou Thao, rejected a plea deal.
On Monday, Thao waived his right to a jury trial, which leaves the judge to issue a verdict after lawyers hand in their written arguments, the AP reports. He previously told a judge it “would be lying” if he were to accept a deal. Arguments are to be submitted to Judge Peter Cahill by November 17th.
Judge Cahill will then rule if Thao is guilty or innocent within 90 days. He could face up to four years in prison. However, there is an agreement to drop the aiding murder charge if Thao is convicted on the lesser charge.
As previously reported, both Kueng and Thao were sentenced back in July for violating George Floyd’s civil rights. Kueng was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the murder, and Thao was sentenced to 3 1/2 years. They were convicted for violating George Floyd’s civil rights back in February along with Derek Chauvin and Thomas Lane, who had already received their sentences for the violation.
At the time of George Floyd’s murder, Kueng knelt on his back and Lane held down his legs. Thao was the officer that kept bystanders from stopping the officers as they placed restraints on George Floyd.
TSR STAFF: Jade Ashley @Jade_Ashley94
