FILE – In this file image dated April 20, 2021, defendant, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, is hearing the verdicts in his 2020 trial of George Floyd’s death at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis. Chauvin, convicted of murder in the death of Floyd, is said to have his first video conference appearance on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 for violating Floyd’s civil rights by placing his knee on the black man’s neck and pinning him Road. (Court TV via AP, pool, file)
MINNEAPOLIS – A judge postponed the indictments of four former Minneapolis police officers on charges of federal civil rights violations in George Floyd’s death until September and ruled on Friday that the case is complex and unrestricted under the Speedy Trial Act.
Prosecutors had asked for more time to prepare the case because of the sheer volume of evidence. The defense lawyers did not disagree with the delay.
A federal grand jury last month indicted Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao, alleging they violated Floyd’s rights while acting under state authority, with Floyd being restrained, handcuffed and face down was not opposed. Chauvin is also charged in a separate indictment of violating the rights of a 14-year-old boy in 2017.
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Judge Tony Leung said the four men would be indicted on Sept. 14, pending further orders from the court. A trial date was not set.
Chauvin has been convicted of murder and manslaughter in a state court and is awaiting conviction in this case. The other former officials will also be tried next March on charges of aid.
Floyd, 46, repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe when Chauvin pushed him to the ground on May 25, 2020. Kueng and Lane helped hold Floyd back – Kueng was kneeling on Floyd’s back and Lane was holding Floyd’s legs. Thao restrained viewers and prevented them from intervening during the 9 1/2 minute reluctance captured on viewer video that sparked global protests and calls for a change in policing.
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The federal indictment alleges that Chauvin violated Floyd’s right to be free from improper seizure and violence by a police officer. Thao and Kueng are charged with violating Floyd’s right to be free from improper seizures by not stopping Chauvin as he kneeled on Floyd’s neck. All four officers are charged with failing to provide medical care to Floyd.
Chauvin is also expected to face civil rights charges related to the 2017 case. The indictment is scheduled for September 16 and no trial has been scheduled.
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