THESE ARE the three Minneapolis cops accused of standing by as George Floyd was killed.

Tou Thao, J Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane are charged with violating Mr Floyd’s civil rights, by failing to give him medical aid in May 2020. 

A court in Minnesota has heard that the police officers were present during Mr Floyd’s murder. 

Prosecutor Samantha Trepel began opening statements and told the court that the three officers failed in their duties as police officers. 

“For second after second, minute after minute, these three CPR-trained defendants stood or knelt next to officer Derek Chauvin as he slowly killed George Floyd right in front of them,” Ms Trepel told the court.

“They chose not to protect George Floyd, the man they had handcuffed and placed in their custody.”

Thao and Kueng are also facing charges of failing to stop fellow police officer Chauvin from kneeling on Mr Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes. 

In the harrowing viral footage, Kueng is seen kneeling on Mr Floyd’s back and Mr Lane can be seen holding down his legs. 

Thao is pictured stopping bystanders from intervening. 

Lawyer Ben Crump, who represents Mr Floyd’s family, demanded the other officers face justice. 

Mr Crump tweeted: “Derek Chauvin’s knee was on George Floyd’s neck, but the other three officers aided and abetted in his death. 

“They could have saved Floyd’s life. They must ALSO be held responsible for their inaction!”

The jury in the federal trial has been criticised for not having any black jurors. 

The jury is made up of a panel of 16 white people and two Asian people.

Mr Floyd’s death sparked worldwide protests demanding an end to police brutality and racism.  

All three ex-officers have pleaded not guilty. 

In June last year, Chauvin was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison for the murder of Mr Floyd. 

It was the first time a police officer in the state of Minneapolis had been convicted of killing a black man. 

Judge Paul Magnuson told the court the trial could last about a month.