Trial information for former Minneapolis police officer charged in the murder of George Floyd
The state trial against former Minneapolis police officer Tou Thao was scheduled to begin on Oct. 24, 2022. Thao gave up his right to a jury trial. Instead, Judge Peter Cahill will review the evidence and issue a verdict within 90 days.
Updated: Oct. 24, 2022
On April 20, 2021, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in the murder of George Floyd. On June 25, 2021, Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison. On May 18, 2022, former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting manslaughter and was sentenced to three years in prison, to be served concurrently with his federal sentence for violating Floyd's civil rights. On Oct. 24, 2022, J. Alexander Kueng pled guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter, thus avoiding the state trial. He was previously convicted in federal court of violating George Floyd’s civil rights and sentenced to serve 36 months.
How long will the trial last?
According to the Associated Press, Thao "agreed to go forward with a modified proceeding called a trial by stipulated evidence, in which he accepts certain evidence against him and waives his rights to a trial by jury and to testify."
"The two sides will work out agreed-upon evidence against Thao and will prepare written closing arguments. They will submit those to Judge Peter Cahill by Nov. 17, with Cahill to rule on guilt or innocence within 90 days. The process includes an agreement to drop the aiding murder charge if Thao is convicted on the lesser charge. With such a conviction, Thao would likely get about four years in prison."
Does Minneapolis still have a police department?
Yes, Minneapolis has a police department. The 2022 city budget includes nearly $192 million for the Minneapolis Police Department. The 2022 budget also includes $7.8 million for the Office of Violence Prevention, as well as nearly $7 million through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Other city funds are used for a wide range of additional public safety measures. More information on “The Future of Public Safety in Minneapolis” can be found here.
Have any policing and/or public safety changes taken place since the murder of George Floyd?
Yes, numerous policing and public safety changes have taken place. More information on “The Future of Public Safety in Minneapolis” can be found here.
