Ex-officers Thao, Kueng appeal convictions in federal civil rights case
From left, former officer J Alexander Kueng and former officer Tou Thao.
Two of the four former Minneapolis police officers who were found guilty of violating George Floyd’s civil rights are appealing their convictions in federal court.
Former police officers Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng filed appeals in federal court on Wednesday. Kueng was sentenced to three-and-a-half years while Thao was sentenced to three years.
Both officers could still face state charges related to Floyd’s death in a trial that is currently set for October. They’re each charged with one count each of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.
Another former officer, Thomas Lane, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in a plea deal with the state. He is set to be sentenced in September.
Lane was also convicted of violating Floyd’s civil rights in a federal trial and received a two-and-a-half-year sentence.
In July, former officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison for violating Floyd’s civil rights after also being convicted of second-degree murder in a state trial.