All four officers on the scene and involved in the arrest of George Floyd have been indicted by a federal grand jury.
Fox News reports:
A federal grand jury in Minnesota has voted to indict the four former Minneapolis police officers involved in the May 25, 2020, arrest of George Floyd, according to indictments unsealed Friday.The three-count indictment names Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao. Specifically, Chauvin, Thao and Kueng are charged with violating Floyd’s right to be free from unreasonable seizure and excessive force. All four officers are charged for their failure to provide Floyd with medical care. Chauvin was also charged in a second indictment, stemming from the arrest and neck restraint of a 14-year-old boy in 2017.Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Kueng appeared via videoconference in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis. Chauvin was not part of the court appearance.
According to CNN, the three officers (other than Chauvin) were released on $25,000 bond, while Chauvin was not released because he already is in custody after conviction on state charges in the death of Floyd.
This follows reports in late April that the Feds Planned To Arrest Derek Chauvin At State Courthouse If Found Not Guilty
You can read the two indictments below:
Here’s the key allegation in the 2017 incident:
On or about September 4, 20t7, in the State and District of Minnesota, the defendant, DEREK MICHAEL CHAUVIN, while acting under color of law, willfully deprived Juvenile I of the right, secured and protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States, to be free from an unreasonable seizure, which includes the right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by a police officer. Specifically, Defendant Chauvin, without legal justification, held Juvenile I by the throat and struck Juvenile 1 multiple times in the head with a flashlight. This offense included the use of a dangerous weapon-a flashlight-and resulted in bodily injury to Juvenile 1.
The first count in the Floyd indictment is against Chauvin for causing Floyd’s death (basically the same as the state case) in violation of Floyd’s civil rights.
Here are the key allegations against two of the other officers in Floyd’s death for failing to stop Chauvin:
On or about May 25,2020, in the State and District of Minnesota, the defendants, TOU THAO and J. ALEXANDER KUENG, while acting under color of law, willfully deprived George Floyd of the right, secured and protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States, to be free from an unreasonable seizure. Specifically, Defendants Kueng and Thao were aware that Defendant Chauvin was holding his knee across George Floyd’s neck as Floyd lay handcuffed and unresisting, and that Defendant Chauvin continued to hold Floyd to the ground even after Floyd became uffesponsive, and the defendants willfully failed to intervene to stop Defendant Chauvin’s use of unreasonable force. This offense resulted in bodily injury to, and the death of, George Floyd.
Here is the omnibus count against all four officers for failing to render medical assistance:
On or about May 25,2020, in the State and District of Minnesota, the defendants, DEREK MICHAEL CHAUVIN, TOU THAO, J. ALEXANDER KUENG, and THOMAS KIERNAN LAIIE, while acting under color of law, willfully deprived George Floyd of the right, secured and protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States, not to be deprived of liberty without due process of law, which includes an arrestee’s right to be free from a police officer’s deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. Specifically, the defendants saw George Floyd lying on the ground in clear need of medical care, and willfully failed to aid Floyd, thereby acting with deliberate indifference to a substantial risk of harm to Floyd. This offense resulted in bodily injury to, and the death of, George Floyd.
I don’t know if failing to stop another police officer, or failing to render medical aid, are federal offenses. I assume that will be challenged.
The federal charges are apart from the state charges against the three other officers for aiding and abetting the killing of Floyd.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY