Former Cops In George Floyd Case Want Case Separated From Derek Chauvin’s
The three former Minneapolis police officers involved in Geroge Floyd’s death have requested separate trials from the convicted killer, Derek Chauvin.
The lawyers of J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao filed separate requests in U.S. District Court in Minnesota as did the attorney for Thomas Lane.
“There is a conflict of interest between the defendants. The conflict flows from Mr. Chauvin’s level of culpability,” Kueng’s attorney, said in court papers per ABC News. “Due to this conflict, the jurors will not be able to follow the Court’s instructions and compartmentalize the evidence as it related to Mr. Kueng.”
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 20: A photograph of George Floyd (C) is displayed along with other photographs at the Say Their Names memorial exhibit at Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade on July 20, 2021 in San Diego, California. The traveling memorial features photographs of 200 Black Americans who lost their lives due to systemic racism and racial injustice and is sponsored by the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art (SDAAMFA). Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 years and six months in prison after being convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Thao’s attorney shared a similar statement in regards to the separate trials.
“Mr. Thao will obtain a fair and more impartial trial [if] he is tried separately from his co-defendants,” his lawyer wrote. “will have insurmountable difficulty distinguishing evidence presented on one count from that evidence presented on the other counts, and will inevitably consider the evidence cumulatively.”
As we reported, back in May a federal grand jury indicted Chauvin, 45, Thao, 35, Kueng, 27, and Lane, 38, on federal civil rights crimes for their participation in Floyd’s murder.
Thao, Kueng, and Lane are waiting on a joint trial for aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.
