August 7, 2023
Former Minneapolis police officer Tou Thao has been handed a 4-3/4-year prison sentence for aiding and abetting manslaughter in the 2020 killing of George Floyd, a Black man whose life was tragically cut short during a botched arrest. Thao’s involvement in the incident, which saw Floyd’s neck pinned to the ground by another officer’s knee, has sparked ongoing discussions about law enforcement practices and accountability.
The sentencing, delivered by Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill, has garnered attention for its severity compared to the 4-1/4 years recommended by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Thao’s sentence will run concurrently with the 3-1/2-year federal conviction he previously received for violating Floyd’s civil rights, as reported by local media outlet Fox 9 in Minneapolis.
Judge Cahill had earlier found Thao guilty in May of aiding and abetting manslaughter in the second degree, marking a significant development in the aftermath of Floyd’s tragic death. Thao, a nine-year veteran of the police force, represents the final officer sentenced in connection with the killing.
The infamous video footage captured on May 25, 2020, showcased former officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, kneeling on Floyd’s neck for an agonizing period lasting over nine minutes. Chauvin’s subsequent murder conviction in 2021 was a milestone in the pursuit of justice. Thao’s role during the incident involved holding back a small crowd of bystanders as Chauvin and two fellow officers restrained Floyd, who was suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill.
The killing set off an international wave of protests, as people across the United States and around the world took to the streets to condemn racism and police brutality. Lawyers representing Thao did not immediately respond to requests for comments following the sentencing.
The two other officers present at the scene, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, faced their own legal proceedings. Both officers pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in state court the previous year. Lane received a 3-1/2-year prison sentence, while Kueng was handed a three-year term.
In a parallel federal trial, Kueng and Lane were also found guilty of violating Floyd’s civil rights, leading to additional prison time. These federal sentences will run concurrently with their state sentences.
Derek Chauvin, the central figure in the case, received a 22-1/2-year state prison sentence for unintentional second-degree murder. Additionally, Chauvin faced a 21-year concurrent federal prison sentence for his role in violating Floyd’s civil rights. These sentences serve as a significant chapter in the ongoing dialogue surrounding the intersection of law enforcement accountability and societal change.
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