Jury Selection Begins For Three Ex-Officers Charged in George Floyd Killing
Jury selection has begun for the trial of former Minneapolis officers Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng, who face charges related to depriving George Floyd, 46, of his rights while exercising the authority of a government agency.
According to the Associated Press, the jury selection process for the federal trial began today (January 20). Twelve jurors and six alternates are expected to be selected in two days, according to The Star Tribune. Opening statements could begin next week and there will be no cameras in the courtroom.
Kueng, Lane, and Thao are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter in George Floyd’s death. On May 25, 2020, during an attempt to arrest Floyd, Officer Derek Chauvin pinned him to the ground under his knee for over nine minutes, while Keung, Lane, and Thao blocked bystanders from helping Floyd.
A jury convicted Chauvin in state court last year for murdering Floyd. He later pleaded guilty in federal court to violating Floyd’s civil rights. Chauvin is serving 22 1⁄2 years in prison in the state case, but he has not been sentenced yet in the federal case.