FORMER MINNEAPOLIS police officer has pleaded guilty on Wednesday to manslaughter in the murder of George Floyd.
Thomas Lane’s guilty plea was entered with Judge Peter Cahill.
In exchange for Lane’s guilty plea, a count of aiding and abetting second-degree murder was dismissed and Lane agreed to a sentence of three years, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.
Lane, 39, was is scheduled to be sentenced for Wednesday’s plea on September 21.
Top prosecutor Keith Ellison, said he was pleased Lane had “accepted responsibility in Mr Floyd’s death”.
“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 in a statement.
“While accountability is not justice, this is a significant moment in this case and a necessary resolution on our continued journey to justice.”
In February this year, Lane along with two other former Minneapolis police officers were found guilty of violating George Floyd’s civil rights in a federal court.
Tou Thao, 36, and J Alexander Kueng, 28, were also convicted of depriving Mr Floyd of his right to medical care, when former officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for over nine minutes, on May 25, 2020.
Thao, and Kueng, are scheduled to go on trial next month in Hennepin County District Court, on state charges of aiding and abetting murder as well as aiding and abetting manslaughter.
Lane avoided next month’s trial by pleading guilty yesterday.
In June last year, former police officer 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.
Last month, Chauvin has requested the Minnesota Court of Appeals overturn his conviction for the murder of Mr Floyd.
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The U.S. CRIMINAL Cour Court system centres on plea deals rather than dispensing Justice.
This is not a resolution but a barrier to race relations and what escalation of negative views about certain races result in. How he can be allowed to reject the charge and seek 3 years is absurdly ridiculous and highly insulting. This in no way will deter those who have these views& participate in this behaviour. Instead it will continue to divide, cause violent reactions and cause hurt to those affected. I’m appalled but not surprised at all.