Ex-Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for violating George Floyd’s civil rights
This Thursday, former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane has been sentenced to 2.5 years in federal prison for violating the civil rights of George Floyd in 2020.
As we previously reported, Lane, 39, along with two other ex-officers: J. Alexander Kueng, 28, and Tou Thao, 36 — were convicted back in February. Lane, who is white, held Floyd’s legs as Officer Derek Chauvin pinned Floyd’s neck with his knee for nearly 9 1/2 minutes on May 25, 2020. Bystander video showed Floyd, who was Black, begging and pleading that he could not breathe. This viral video sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the world.
Initially, federal prosecutors had asked Judge Paul A. Magnuson to sentence Lane to between 5.25 years to 6.5 years for his role in the fatal restraint of Floyd. However, Lane’s attorney, Earl Gray, asked for a sentence of 2.25 years. Lane, Thao and Kueng were each convicted of violating Floyd’s rights during the fatal restraint. Thao and Kueng were also found guilty of an additional federal charge earlier this year for failing to intervene to stop Chauvin. As of right now, a sentencing date for the two other officers has not been set.
While Lane declined to make a statement to the court, Floyd’s brother Philonise told the court Thursday, “Our family was given a death sentence May 25, we will never get George back,” he said. “Officer Lane did not intervene in one way or another,” he per CNN.
Prosecutors did not immediately comment afterward also but Philonise Floyd called the sentence “insulting” and said he didn’t understand why Lane — whom he called “an accessory to murder” didn’t received a much tougher sentence.
“To me I think this whole criminal system needs to be torn down and rebuilt,” he said
What Happened to Derek Chauvin?
Earlier this year, ex-Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty to federal charges of violating George Floyd’s civil rights.
Chauvin, who is white, was convicted of state murder and manslaughter charges for kneeling his knee against Floyd’s neck during a May 25, 2020, arrest as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe. Chauvin was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in that case.
Chauvin had previously pleaded not guilty to federal charges which included two counts alleging that Chauvin deprived Floyd of his rights by kneeling on his neck as he was handcuffed and not resisting, and then failing to provide him medical care. However, in exchange of his plea, the government agreed to dismiss two other charges and a separate case in which Chauvin was charged with violating the civil rights of a 14-year-old.
RELATED: BREAKING: Ex officer Derek Chauvin Pleads Guilty To Violating George Floyd’s Civil Rights
What Happened After George Floyd’s Death?
After a long intense year, the City of Minneapolis settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Floyd’s family for $27 million.