Federal grand jury indicts 4 ex-officers in George Floyd's death

A federal grand jury indicted four former Minneapolis police officers in the death of George Floyd, alleging the officers violated Floyd's constitutional rights, according to court documents filed in federal court in Minnesota today.

Here's what we know about the case and the new indictment:

• Charges against Chauvin: The indictment says Derek Chauvin — who was convicted last month on state murder charges in the Floyd's death — deprived Floyd of the right to be free from "unreasonable seizure, which includes the right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by a police officer."
• Allegations against the others: Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng were also charged in connection with their failure to intervene in Chauvin's use of unreasonable force, per the indictment. Chauvin, Thao, Kueng and the fourth officer, Thomas Lane, all face a charge for failing to give Floyd medical aid.
• Where the ex-officers are now: The three former officers appeared with their attorneys in federal court Friday via video conference, and all three were released on $25,000 bond. Chauvin, who's awaiting sentencing on state convictions in June, remains in custody.

Floyd's death on May 25, 2020, sparked protests nationwide against police brutality and racial injustice. Bystander video showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds while the 46-year-old, handcuffed and lying prone in the street, gasped for air, telling the officers, "I can't breathe."

Thao, Kueng and Lane were on the scene with Chauvin. They also face state charges, including aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. They have pleaded not guilty, and their joint trial is expected to this summer.

The White House has “seen the reports” of Friday’s announcement of federal charges against Derek Chauvin and three other former Minneapolis Police officers in the death of George Floyd, press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday.

Asked if President Biden had a response, Psaki said, “obviously we have seen the reports and we are watching any follow-up closely, but we don't have any specific reaction to the legal actions that were announced today.”

“It's a reminder, as was the verdict in the Chauvin case just a few weeks ago, that there's still more that needs to be done. While that was a moment of justice, certainly, that it is just the beginning. And it's a reminder of the need to put police reform in place through our legislative process and put those reforms in place across the country,” Psaki added.

Derek Chauvin, who was indicted by a federal grand jury for civil rights violations in connection with the death of George Floyd, also now faces federal charges for a 2017 incident.

The indictment, unsealed Friday, says the former Minneapolis police officer is accused of using unreasonable force against a 14-year-old on Sept. 4, 2017. 

“Specifically, Defendant Chauvin, without legal justification, held Juvenile by the throat and struck Juvenile 1 multiple times in the head with a flashlight. This offense included the use of a dangerous weapon-a flashlight-and resulted in bodily injury to Juvenile 1,” the indictment says. 

Chauvin allegedly also put his knee on the teenager's neck and upper back even after the teen was lying prone, handcuffed, and not resisting.

The former officer remains in jail after being convicted in state court for his role in Floyd’s death. 

NAACP national president Derrick Johnson said the announcement today of federal charges against Derek Chauvin and three other former Minneapolis Police officers in the death of George Floyd was a "step in the right direction."  

In his statement, Johnson noted the need for police reform, including a national registry of police misconduct and ending qualified immunity, saying that, "No police officer is above the law, nor should they ever be shielded from accountability."  

"No police officer is above the law, nor should they ever be shielded from accountability. We need urgent reforms now. I have been working with Congresswoman Bass, Senator Booker and others on the critical need to implement a national registry of police misconduct, and ending qualified immunity. These charges today are a step in the right direction," the statement reads.  

The attorneys representing George Floyd’s family said in a statement that they are “encouraged by these charges and eager to see continued justice in this historic case that will impact Black citizens and all Americans for generations to come.”

A federal grand jury indicted four former Minneapolis police officers in connection with the death of Floyd, alleging the officers violated Floyd's constitutional rights, according to court documents filed in federal court in Minnesota.

Derek Chauvin was also charged in a separate indictment related to an incident in which he allegedly used unreasonable force on a Minneapolis 14-year-old in September 2017, the Justice Department said in a statement Friday.

The statement from civil rights attorneys Ben Crump, Antonio Romanucci, and L. Chris Stewart said, “the additional indictment of Derek Chauvin shows a pattern and practice of behavior.”

See the full statement:

Responding to the indictment of four former Minneapolis police officers involved in the death of George Floyd, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison called the move "entirely appropriate."

“The federal government has a responsibility to protect the civil rights of every American and to pursue justice to the fullest extent of federal law," Ellison said in a statement posted online. "Federal prosecution for the violation of George Floyd’s civil rights is entirely appropriate, particularly now that Derek Chauvin has been convicted of murder under Minnesota law for the death of George Floyd."

Ellison went onto note that state prosecutors are still planning to present their case against the three other former Minneapolis Police officers involved in George Floyd's death. Those former officers are J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao.  

In April, a jury found former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter charges in the death George Floyd.

Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane appeared with their attorneys via video conference in federal court before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright this morning.  

They were indicted by a federal grand jury for actions connected to the death of George Floyd.  

Thao and Kueng were indicted as defendants who “willfully failed to intervene to stop Defendant Chauvin's use of unreasonable force.”

Thao, Kueng and Lane are accused of “deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs,” according to the indictment.  

The three former officers were released on $25,000 unsecured bond. 

Derek Chauvin, who was also indicted by the federal grand jury, remains in jail after being convicted in a state trial.   

A federal grand jury has indicted four former Minneapolis police officers in the death of George Floyd, alleging the officers violated Floyd's constitutional rights.

All four former officers were previously charged in Floyd's death in Minnesota.

Derek Chauvin was guilty last month of murder of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

J. Alexander Kueng, 27, Thomas Lane, 38, and Tou Thao, 35, are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter connected to Floyd's death. They have pleaded not guilty are set to stand trial in August.

A federal grand jury has indicted former Minneapolis police officers Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng, and Thomas Lane for actions in the death of George Floyd.  

Chauvin is charged of depriving “George Floyd of the right…to be free from an unreasonable seizure, which includes the right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by a police officer.” 

Thao and Kueng were indicted as defendants who “willfully failed to intervene to stop Defendant Chauvin's use of unreasonable force.”

All four are accused of “deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs,” the indictment says.   

According to the indictment, “the defendants saw George Floyd lying on the ground in clear need of medical care, and willfully failed to aid Floyd, thereby acting with deliberate indifference to a substantial risk of harm to Floyd.”

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this post incorrectly reported all four officers were accused of unreasonable use of force​​​​. Only Chauvin faces that charge.