Defense lawyer in George Floyd case requests change of venue for trial

The attorney representing one of the former Minneapolis police officers charged in connection with the killing of George Floyd has asked for the trial to be moved from Hennepin County.

Thomas Plunkett, a lawyer representing J. Alexander Kueng, filed the change of venue motion in Hennepin County Court on Thursday. The motion argues that the prosecution has publicly shared "’potentially’ prejudicial material" and that a fair trial would be impossible in the seven-county metro area.

The motion suggests Stearns County as a possible alternative with "appropriate facilities and demographics."

On Wednesday, Kueng’s lawyer filed a separate motion asking for his client’s case to be dismissed.

Kueng has been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter, along with former Minneapolis police officers Thomas Lane and Tou Thao. Former officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in connection with Floyd’s death in police custody on May 25.