Former police officer pleads guilty to manslaughter in George Floyd killing
LA TimesA former Minneapolis police officer pleaded guilty Wednesday to a state charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd, admitting that he intentionally helped restrain the Black man in a way that created an unreasonable risk and caused his death. Lane and two other former officers, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, have already been convicted on federal counts of willfully violating Floyd’s rights. Lane agreed the restraint was “unreasonable under the circumstances and constituted an unlawful use of force.” The state and Lane’s attorneys agreed to a recommended sentence of three years — which is below state sentencing guidelines — and prosecutors agreed to allow him to serve that sentence at the same time as any federal sentence, and in a federal prison. “While accountability is not justice, this is a significant moment in this case and a necessary resolution on our continued journey to justice.” Lane’s attorney, Earl Gray, said in a statement that Lane did not want to risk a lengthy prison sentence if convicted of aiding and abetting murder, so he agreed to plead guilty to aiding and abetting manslaughter. “Perhaps soon, officers will not require families to endure the pain of lengthy court proceedings where their criminal acts are obvious and apparent.” Chauvin pleaded guilty last year to a federal charge of violating Floyd’s civil rights and faces 20 to 25 years in prison in that case.