Tou Thao, the final former Minneapolis Police Department officer to be found guilty in a state court for his involvement in the murder of George Floyd, was sentenced to four years and nine months on Monday despite maintaining his innocence.
Thao sentenced of 57 months in prison
In a report from CBS News, on May 25, 2020, former Officer Derek Chauvin, a white man, knelt on Floyd’s neck for 9 1/2 minutes as the Black man begged for his life. Thao had claimed that he was only acting as a human traffic cone.
Floyd’s waning sobs of “I can’t breathe” were captured on video by a passerby.
During the sentencing hearing, Thao testified to the court for 20 minutes about his 340 days in jail and his rediscovery of Christianity. In spite of his denials, he acknowledged his sorrow for Floyd’s passing.
Thao claimed that he wasn’t responsible for such crimes. His morals are impeccable. He won’t betray his God, become a mob member out of self-preservation, or be like Judas.
Peter Cahill, the judge, was not impressed. Even longer than what the prosecutors requested, he gave Thao a sentence of 57 months in prison—nearly five years.
Robert Paule, Thao’s lawyer, declared that an appeal would be filed. He declined to say anything more.
Floyd’s final remarks, according to Assistant Attorney General Erin Eldridge, were heard around the world.
Floyd’s family was not present for this final sentencing hearing in court.
READ ALSO: Derek Chauvin Seeks Minnesota Supreme Court Review of Murder Conviction in George Floyd Case
Thao convicted guilty of second-degree manslaughter
Floyd’s death sparked protests around the world and prompted a national discussion about racism and police violence.
Thao was convicted guilty of second-degree manslaughter in May by Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill. According to Cahill’s 177-page decision, Thao’s actions kept Chauvin and two other former officers—including an EMT—away from the crowd, enabling them to continue holding Floyd while obstructing the ability of onlookers to render treatment.
All three defendants were found guilty during that federal court trial. Lane and Kueng admitted guilt to state charges of aiding and abetting manslaughter, while Chauvin admitted guilt to federal civil rights charges rather than undergoing a second trial.
In an article from Hollywood Unlocked, the 3 1/2-year sentence Thao received for a separate conviction on a federal civil rights crime, which an appeals court upheld on Friday, will run concurrently with the sentence Cahill imposed on him on Monday. The four years recommended by Minnesota state guidelines were not included in his state sentence.
Before Thao is moved to a Minnesota prison to complete the remainder of his term, the sentence will be served in federal prison with credit for time already served.
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