This Monday morning, the fourth and final former Minneapolis police officer charged for his role in George Floyd’s murder learned his fate.
Tou Thao was sentenced today to 4 years and 9 months. It will run concurrently with Thao’s 3 1/2-year sentence on his separate conviction on a federal civil rights charge, which an appeals court upheld on Friday. His state sentence was more than the 4 years recommended under Minnesota state guidelines. During his hearing this morning, Thao spoke about his growth as a Christian during his 340 days behind bars… He said he was “distressed” by Floyd’s death but denied any role in it. “I did not commit these crimes,” Thao said. “My conscience is clear. I will not be a Judas nor join a mob in self-preservation or betray my God,” CBS News quotes.
Meanwhile, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill who found Thao guilty in May of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter — responded to Thao’s little speech. He said he was hoping “for more than preaching” from Thao. “After three years of reflection, I was hoping for a little more remorse,” the judge said. As we previously reported, Thao was seen holding back concerned bystanders who gathered as former Officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, knelt on Floyd’s neck for 9 1/2 minutes while Floyd pleaded for his life on May 25, 2020.
In Cahil’s 177-page ruling, he noted that Thao’s actions not only separated Chauvin and two other former officers from the crowd, including an emergency medical technician but allowed his colleagues to continue restraining Floyd and preventing bystanders from providing medical aid. “There is proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Thao’s actions were objectively unreasonable from the perspective of a reasonable police officer, when viewed under the totality of the circumstances,” Cahill wrote.
He concluded: “Thao’s actions were even more unreasonable in light of the fact that he was under a duty to intervene to stop the other officers’ excessive use of force and was trained to render medical aid.”
More On The Horrific Killing Of George Floyd
Thao is one of four officers who were charged after a video surfaced online showing police holding Floyd down as he pleaded for air on May 25, 2020. He died after then-Officer Derek Chauvin held his knee to Floyd’s neck. Chauvin has since been convicted of charges including murder and manslaughter. Meanwhile, the other officers who helped hold Floyd down — J. Kueng Alexander and Thomas Lane — have also been convicted of state and federal charges.
The tragic and untimely death of George Floyd sent shockwaves around the world, sparking a global movement against racial injustice and police brutality.
The incident became a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement, which has been advocating for an end to systemic racism and police violence. Protests erupted in numerous cities, demanding justice for Floyd and calling for sweeping reforms within law enforcement agencies. People from diverse backgrounds united to amplify the message that no one should suffer such brutality simply because of the color of their skin.