Today a federal judge sentenced Thomas Lane, a former Minneapolis police Officer to spend 2 1/2 years in jail for the violation of George Floyd’s civil rights.
Lane’s role in restraining that killed Floyd was classified by the judge Paul Magnuson as a very serious offense in which a life was lost.
George Floyd’s family wanted a longer sentence
The sentence wasn’t quite what the George Floyd’s family and the prosecutors sought, as the latter recommended for Lane to spend the next 5 years and three months in prison, but slightly more than what Lane’s defense team was hoping to get.
Lane is still awaiting his sentence on state charges for the George Floyd killing, he must turn himself in October 4 to start his sentences, meanwhile he’ll remain free on bond.
Thomas Lane didn’t speak at his sentencing hearing and his attorney, Earl Gray, didn’t answer reporters questions afterwards either.
What did Thomas Lane do to George Floyd during his arrest?
Thomas Lane held George Floyd’s legs down as Officer Derek Chauvin pinned down Floyd’s neck with his knee for over 9 minutes before he passed away on May 25, 2020.
During that time, Floyd pleaded the officers that he couldn’t breathe, but they didn’t stop, this sparked protest all over the country, over police brutality and racial injustice.
Two other officers witnessed the actions and have also been convicted of violating Floyd’s civil rights, they both await for their sentence.