The George Floyd Memorial seen during a heavy snowstorm at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP
A Minnesota jury is to begin deliberating the fate on February 23 of three former police officers charged with violating the civil rights of George Floyd, the African-American man whose murder sparked nationwide protests.
Tou Thao, J Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane are on trial in federal court in Saint Paul for their roles in Floyd’s May 2020 death in the sister city of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Prosecutors and defence attorneys for the three men wrapped up their closing arguments on February 22 after a one-month trial.
Judge Paul Magnuson cut short the day’s proceedings because of a snowstorm and said he will charge jurors with the case on February 23.
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who kneeled on the neck of a handcuffed Floyd for nearly 10 minutes until he passed out and died, was convicted of murder and is serving 22 years in prison.
Thao, Kueng and Lane were the three other officers involved in the arrest of the 46-year-old Floyd for allegedly using a fake $20 bill to buy a pack of cigarettes.
While Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck, Kueng was on his back and Lane held his legs. Thao kept back bystanders who were telling Chauvin to get off the visibly distressed Floyd.
Floyd’s death was filmed by a bystander and sparked months of protests against racial injustice and police brutality.
Thao, Kueng and Lane are charged with showing “deliberate indifference” to Floyd’s medical needs.
Thao and Kueng are also accused of failing to intervene to stop Chauvin’s use of “unreasonable force” against Floyd.
Lane does not face the second charge. Video of the arrest shows that on two occasions, Lane suggested Floyd be rolled over on his side.
In her closing argument, prosecutor Manda Sertich said all three officers failed to provide medical assistance to Floyd.
“The officers knew that George Floyd couldn’t breathe, didn’t have a pulse and was dying,” she said. “Make no mistake, this is a crime.”
Lee Ann Bell, another prosecutor, said “this happened because Thao and Kueng did not intervene, and all three failed to provide medical aid.”
“They didn’t do the right but difficult thing,” Bell said.
Lawyers for Kueng and Lane stressed that the two officers had only been on the job for a few days and deferred to Chauvin, an 18-year veteran and the senior officer on the scene.
Earl Gray, the lawyer for Lane, said his client did show concern for Floyd during the arrest and asked Chauvin whether Floyd should be placed on his side.
“Chauvin doesn’t say anything, he ignores this person over here, he’s just a rookie,” Gray said.
The defence attorney also noted that Lane asked Kueng to check Floyd’s pulse and administered CPR after an ambulance arrived.
“All of that is being concerned about George Floyd’s medical needs,” Gray said.
Twelve jurors and six alternates are hearing the case.
Thao, Kueng and Lane are to face Minnesota state charges in connection with Floyd’s death in a trial that is scheduled to begin on June 13.
But in a sign of the importance of the case, federal prosecutors also charged the officers with violating Floyd’s constitutional rights.
