Former Minneapolis Police officer J. Alexander Kueng was sentenced Friday to three-and-a-half years in prison for his role in the officer-involved death of George Floyd.
Kueng pleaded guilty in October to state charges of aiding and abetting 2nd-degree manslaughter.
He was already in federal prison in Ohio for violating Floyd's civil rights.
The sentencing was scheduled for Friday morning, but delayed several hours after authorities with the federal Bureau of Prisons failed to log in for the remote hearing, according to Hennepin County judge Peter Cahill.
Cahill had threatened to push the hearing back until Monday if the prison bureau authorities were still not prepared by Friday afternoon.
As part of the plea agreement, Kueng, 29, had a second charge of aiding and abetting in second-degree unintentional murder dismissed.
Kueng is already serving time in a federal prison after sentencing on charges they violated Floyd's civil rights.
The plea was announced just as a joint state trial for Kueng and fellow former officer Tou Thao was to begin with jury selection.
Kueng was one of four Minneapolis police officers involved in the death of Floyd on May 25, 2020.
The incident, which was videotaped and posted on social media, drew protests not only in the Twin Cities but around the world.
There was widespread violence in both Minneapolis and St. Paul in the days following Floyd's death.
While Derek Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd's neck, Kueng and Thomas Lane held him down next to a police cruiser in front of the Cup Food store in south Minneapolis.
Chauvin was convicted of unintentional second-degree and third degree murder, along with second-degree manslaughter, and is seving a 22 1/2-year prison sentence.
Lane pleaded guilty to a state charge for aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter and was sentenced to three years in prison.
The fourth officer, Tou Thao, waived his right for a jury trial and his fate will be decided by Cahill.
All four former officers were convicted of federal civil rights charges.
Down the Audacy app and follow 97.1 FM Talk.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok
Related
Related
