Federal grand jury indicts 4 former cops involved in George Floyd’s death

A federal grand jury has indicted the four former Minneapolis police officers involved in the arrest and death of George Floyd, accusing them of violating the Floyd’s constitutional rights as he was restrained face-down on the pavement and gasping for air.

Federal indictment for four officers involved in George Floyd’s death

The unsealed three-count indictment names Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao, and J. Kueng.

Chauvin, Thao and Kueng are charged with violating Floyd’s right to be free from unreasonable seizure and excessive force.

The federal grand jury indicted all four officers for their failure to provide Floyd with medical care.

Derek Chauvin faces additional charges

Chauvin was also charged in a second indictment, stemming from a 2017 arrest and neck restraint of a 14-year-old boy.

J. Kueng, Thomas Lane, ans Tou Thao, appeared in court via videoconference in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis. Chauvin was not part of the court appearance.

Chauvin was convicted in April on state charges of murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death and is in Minnesota’s only maximum-security prison awaiting sentencing.

The other three former cops will stand in a state trial in August. They are free on bond and were allowed to remain free after Friday’s federal court appearance.

George Floyd

George Floyd died May 25 after Chauvin pinned him to the ground with a knee on his neck for nearly 9 minutes, even as Floyd, who was handcuffed, repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe.

State prosecutors say Kueng and Lane also helped restrain Floyd — specifically stating Kueng knelt on Floyd’s back and Lane held down Floyd’s legs.

State prosecutors also stated Thao held back bystanders and kept them from intervening during the restraint.

Chauvin’s attorney, Eric Nelson, has filed a motion requesting a new trial, citing many issues including the judge’s refusal to move the trial due to publicity.

George Floyd’s case received widespread attention after a bystander posted a video of the incident on social media, quickly making the video go viral, sparking nationwide protests.