Jonathan Allen

ST. PAUL (Reuters) – A jury deliberated Wednesday about whether former Minneapolis officers deprived George Floyd of constitutional rights. They failed to help the handcuffed Black man pinned under a colleague’s knee.

Tou Thao (36); J. Alexander Kueng (28); and Thomas Lane (38) all gave evidence in defense of Floyd in federal court at U.S. District Court, St. Paul. They told jurors that they didn’t realize Floyd needed medical attention at the time, but it was their responsibility to do so.

In defense summations, their lawyers stated that prosecutors failed to show the men had acted with deliberate disregard during the May 2020 arrest. However, they also had what one prosecutor described as “front row seats” to Floyd’s murder next to a Minneapolis police car.

Thao and Kueng were also accused of willfully violating Floyd’s rights, not intervening in Derek Chauvin’s use of excessive force. An unmistakable cellphone video shows Chauvin, a white male, lying on Floyd’s neck and asking for help.

Protests against racism and police brutality erupted in cities all over the globe after Floyd was shot to death. Thao, an Asian American, describes himself as mixed race while Kueng is white.

Chauvin (45) was found guilty of Floyd’s death in an additional state trial and sentenced for 22-1/2 years. He pleaded guilty in December to the federal crime of violating Floyd’s rights.

Paul Magnuson, U.S. district judge, instructed 12 jurors on the law prior to giving the case to them for deliberations. He stated to them that Floyd must have been medically treated or the excessive use of force against him by the government.

Defense lawyers argued that the officers listened to Chauvin’s authority in closing arguments Tuesday. Chauvin is the senior officer on the scene and has been with the Minneapolis Police Department for 19 years.

They didn’t realize that Chauvin’s knee against Floyd’s neck was excessive force. Onlookers shouted at them with increasing alarm, Floyd begged for his own life, but he refused to respond.

Kueng and Lane first handcuffed Floyd for using fake $20 bills in nearby stores. They noted that the training was only seven days old. The rest of their time together lasted over a year. Their knees were used to hold Floyd’s legs and buttocks down, while Chauvin placed his neck on Floyd. Thao, a veteran of the force, stood by Floyd and kept out the onlookers.

LeeAnn Bell, a federal prosecution, countered Tuesday that the U.S. Constitution does not allow for “free passes”. This means people cannot be put under excessive pressure or denied health care if taken into government custody.

“There is no pass to say, “I am a brand new officer.” She said that there is no pass for, “It would be difficult or uncomfortable to speak out.” Our Constitution weighs risk, and we have to act.

According to medical experts, Floyd could have survived the arrest had he been pulled onto his side by the officers after they restrained him.

Three men will spend many years behind bars if they are convicted. In June, the three were also scheduled to be brought before a Minneapolis court on charges that they aid and abet Floyd’s murder.