Former Minneapolis officer charged in Floyd’s death requests trial be delayed further
From left, former officer J Alexander Kueng and former officer Tou Thao.
Just weeks after court officials announced the trial for two former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd had been moved to January of 2023, a request has been made for the trial to be continued to later in the year.
Court documents released Monday morning state former officer J. Alexander Kueng will ask to move the trial for himself and former officer Tou Thao.
The request is being made because Kueng’s attorney told the court and other parties that he is unavailable for trial from January through March of 2023 due to a scheduling conflict of a personal nature, according to court documents.
As 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reported earlier this month, Thao and Kueng are currently scheduled to stand trial in early January, with jury selection set to begin on Jan. 9 and opening statements tentatively scheduled for Monday, Jan. 30.
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Documents also say the state entered a demand for a speedy trial last Friday on behalf of Floyd’s family.
Originally, Thao and Kueng’s state trial was scheduled to begin earlier this month. They’re each charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.
Last month, Thao and Kueng filed a motion asking Judge Peter Cahill to delay their state trial until they, as well as former officer Thomas Lane, are sentenced for their federal convictions.
As previously reported, Lane has already pleaded guilty in the state case.
Thao, Kueng and Lane were convicted in federal court earlier this year of violating Floyd’s civil rights. However, their sentencing dates haven’t yet been set.
A copy of Kueng’s request can be found below.
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