The state trial of former Minneapolis Police Officers Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng has been delayed until January 5, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. by Judge Cahill. He also denied the defense motion to change the venue. Both Thao and Kueng are charged with aiding and abetting in the killing of George Floyd outside of Cup Foods in May of 2020. Jury selection will now begin on January 9 and opening statements on January 30.
Cameras in the courtroom are also denied although the media can reapply closer to January. Cameras were allowed in the state trial of fellow officer Derek Chauvin who was found guilty of three charges in the killing of Floyd. There were no cameras allowed in the Federal Civil Rights trial of the officers either.
Jury selection in the trial of Thao and Kueng was supposed to begin next week but defense lawyers asked Judge Cahill for these changes last week and he promised a quick ruling.
A third officer, Thomas Lane, was also charged but accepted a plea deal from the state and will three years in prison.
Minneapolis Attorney Mike Padden, who is not associated with the case, believes this provides more time to work on a plea deal.
"It was be really tragic if they went to trial. It would be a big mistake," Padden told Henry Lake on WCCO Radio.
Padden adds that a change of venue is very difficult to accomplish and includes significant added costs.
In the request to delay the trial, the lawyers for Thao and Kueng contended there's been so much worldwide publicity about the George Floyd case that it would be impossible to seat an impartial jury. Prosecutors say they believe jurors will take their job seriously and do it fairly.
The delay means it will be nearly three years since Floyd’s death until the state wraps up the trials of all four officers involved.
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