With former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane pleading guilty on Wednesday to a state charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, Twin Cities criminal defense attorney Jack Rice says it's unclear whether or not the state trial for J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao scheduled to begin on June 13 will happen.
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Lane, Kueng, and Thao were charged with aiding and abetting both murder and manslaughter after Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020. Lane's count of aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder was dismissed as part of his plea.
"I think it's very possible that Kueng and Thao may not be receiving the kind of offer, this aiding and abetting manslaughter offer, that you're seeing in state court," Rice said. "As a result they may have more of a reason to go to trial."
Rice added that Lane's guilty plea negates a risk that could have awaited him if he had proceeded with a state trial.
"Thomas Lane likely had the best chance of a not guilty verdict," Rice said. "The plea was a smart decision because of the question of exposure. In the end, he's going to be sentenced on the federal charges. He know that. If he had gone to trial on the state case, he could have received a lot more."
Under the agreement, Lane agreed to serve three years in prison. That time will be served along with the federal sentence, which he has yet to receive.
Former officer Derek Chauvin is already serving a 22 1/2 year sentence for murdering Floyd. He was convicted of both state and federal charges.