State prosecutors ask Minnesota Court of Appeals to rejoin trials in George Floyd case

State prosecutors are asking the Minnesota Court of Appeals to rejoin the cases against the four former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd.

The appeal was filed on Thursday.

George Floyd coverage from KSTP

Last week, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill denied a motion from the state to rejoin the case of former officer Derek Chauvin with that of former officers Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng into one trial during the summer. Cahill had decided earlier this month that Chauvin would stand trial alone in March while Lane, Thao and Kueng would stand trial in late summer.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in regards to the incident that left Floyd dead in May. The other three former officers— Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng— face aiding and abetting to murder and manslaughter charges.


Recent George Floyd case updates from KSTP:

Judge denies request to have Chauvin tried with other former officers charged in Floyd killing

State asks judge to reconsider separate trials in Floyd case due to ‘potentially catastrophic consequences for public health’

Former Los Angeles police captain who testified in Rodney King case to serve as ‘expert on use of force’ in Floyd trial