Minneapolis officers found guilty of violating George Floyd's civil rights

[Nevilledog]

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Keith Boykin
@keithboykin
Former Minneapolis officers J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas K. Lane and Tou Thao all found guilty of violating George Floyd’s civil rights.

washingtonpost.com
Former Minneapolis officers found guilty of violating George Floyd’s civil rights
3:16 PM · Feb 24, 2022

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/02/24/former-minneapolis-officers-found-guilty-violating-george-floyds-civil-rights/

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https://archive.fo/omAIL

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Three former Minneapolis police officers who were at the scene with Derek Chauvin as he pressed his knee into George Floyd’s neck were convicted of violating Floyd’s civil rights in a case that is likely to increase scrutiny over how officers are trained to intervene with rogue colleagues.

Prosecutors had argued former officers J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas K. Lane and Tou Thao knew Floyd was in medical danger beneath Chauvin’s knee, as they heard the man repeatedly begging for breath before losing consciousness but put their “discomfort in questioning a colleague” above their sworn duty to save a life.

After a monthlong trial that cast a harsh light on police training and practices in Minneapolis, a jury deliberated about 13 hours before finding Kueng, Lane and Thao guilty of violating Floyd’s civil rights by failing to render medical aid to the man. Kueng and Thao were also found guilty of failing to intervene with Chauvin.

The former officers, each of whom took the stand in their own defense, said they were deferring to Chauvin, the senior officer at the scene, unsure whether he was using unreasonable force and that they relied on his experience to guide what they claimed was a chaotic scene. They also pointed a finger at the Minneapolis Police Department, claiming inadequate and confusing training, and questioning why Chauvin was allowed to train young officers like Kueng.

*snip*

[Chainfire]

1. That is a bit of good news in a bad time.

Here is hoping for a "hanging judge" at sentencing.

[Ocelot II]

4. There's no such thing, fortunately.

The judge will follow the federal sentencing guidelines. Judge Magnuson is considered to be a fair judge who respects the law.

[Chainfire]

6. Just a figure of speech.

However, if Judge Roy Bean was involved, I would not complain.

[spanone]

2. ...K&R...

[MarineCombatEngineer]

3. Ahh,

a piece of good news on an otherwise lousy day.

Thanks for posting this.

[TheRealNorth]

5. So the "we were just following orders" defense didn't work?

And that the judge didn't buy the "we are just rookie cops that didn't know any better.. "defense? That's good news.

[Chainfire]

7. I guess they should have paid attention in the academy when they got to that part.

But they were probably out that day chasing girls and swilling beer.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

8. Statement from Department of Justice

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