A former Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer, Thomas Lane, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a state charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd.
As part of the plea deal, Lane will be acquitted on a count of aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder. Lane, along with J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, has already been convicted on federal counts of willfully violating Floyd’s rights during the May 2020 restraint that led to the Black man’s death.
Prosecutors are recommending a sentence of three years for Lane — which is below state sentencing guidelines — and have agreed to allow him to serve the time in federal prison. Lane has not yet been sentenced in the federal case.
Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose office prosecuted the case, issued a statement saying he was glad that Lane admitted to taking part in Floyd’s murder.
“His acknowledgment he did something wrong is an important step toward healing the wounds of the Floyd family, our community, and the nation,” Ellison said. “While accountability is not justice, this is a significant moment in this case and a necessary resolution on our continued journey to justice.”
Lane’s attorney, Earl Gray, said he and his client would have no comment. Lane was not taken into custody and a presentence investigation was ordered. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 21 on the state charge.
The hearing was streamed over Zoom for Floyd’s family members.
Lane’s former colleague, Derek Chauvin, pleaded guilty last year to a federal charge of violating Floyd’s civil rights and faces a federal sentence ranging from 20 to 25 years. Chauvin earlier was convicted of state charges of murder and manslaughter and sentenced to 22 1/2 years in the state case.
