Former Minneapolis police officers Tou Thao was sentenced Monday morning to 57-months in prison for his involvement in the murder of George Floyd.
The sentencing hearing took place at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis in front of Judge Peter Cahil.
Thao was convicted on May 2 of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter, with Judge Cahill reaching the verdict in the non-jury trial.
He was earlier sentenced to 3 1/2 years in federal prison for civil rights violations and is the last of the four former Minneapolis police officers to be sentenced for convictions in state court in connection with Floyd's death.
Thao was shown on video taken by a bystander as he held citizens back while the three other former officers held down Floyd on the street on May 25, 2020.
Thao had testified that he merely served as a “human traffic cone” when he held back concerned bystanders who gathered as former Officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, knelt on Floyd’s neck for 9 1/2 minutes while the Black man pleaded for his life on May 25, 2020.
A bystander video captured Floyd’s fading cries of “I can’t breathe.”
The death led to protests and violence in the Twin Cities and around the world, and sparked a reckoning of police brutality, reform, and racism.
At the sentencing hearing, Thao spoke at length about his growth as a Christian during his 340 days behind bars. He said he was “distressed” by Floyd’s death but denied any role in it.
“I did not commit these crimes,” Thao said. “My conscience is clear. I will not be a Judas nor join a mob in self-preservation or betray my God.”
Cahill responded that he was hoping “for more than preaching” from Thao.
Thao, who refused to take a plea deal that other officers Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng took, ended up getting the top of the sentencing guidelines from Judge Cahill, who noted a lack of remorse from Thao.
"After three years of reflection. I was hoping for a little more remorse, regret, acknowledgement of some responsibility and less preaching," said Cahill.
Thao’s attorney, Robert Paule, said afterward that they will appeal. He declined further comment.
Assistant Attorney General Erin Eldridge said during the hearing that Floyd’s final words “reverberated across the globe.”
The death led to protests and violence in the Twin Cities and around the world, and sparked a reckoning of police brutality, reform, and racism.
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