Minnesota Appeals Court OKs New Charges Against Officers In George Floyd's Death
Former Minneapolis police officers Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane have been cleared to face third-degree aiding and abetting murder charges for their involvement in the death of George Floyd.
According to the Associated Press, a Minnesota appeals court issued a ruling on June 30 reversing an order from Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill denying prosecutors’ motion to add the charge against Kueng, Lane and Thao.
Previously, Thao, Kueng and Lane were charged with aiding and abetting convicted ex-cop Chauvin in committing second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter of George Floyd. In October, Cahill dismissed the third-degree murder charge. This ruling from the Minnesota appeals court will now go back to Cahill.
Derek Chauvin, who for more than nine minutes held his knee to George Floyd’s neck, was convicted on all counts of murder and manslaughter. He was sentenced to 22 ½ years in prison.
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Editor's note: An earlier version of this story erroneously reported that Lane, Thao and Keung were charged with third-degree murder. In actuality, they were cleared to face third-degree aiding and abetting murder charges.
