Federal judge sentences Thomas Lane to 30 months in George Floyd case

July 21 (UPI) -- A federal judge sentenced former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane to 30 months in prison for violating George Floyd's civil rights in his 2020 death, which sparked racial justice protests around the country.

Lane, who still faces state sentencing, was one of three officers charged with violating Floyd's civil rights for not intervening when former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin placed his knee on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes, leading to his death.

Lane was convicted in February for depriving Floyd of medical care during his arrest. Prosecutors had asked for six-and-a-half years in prison.

Lane, a rookie, was on his fourth day of the job during Floyd's arrest. He was heard on body camera video during Floyd's arrest asking the other officers if they should turn Floyd over, and that he was concerned.

The former officer pleaded guilty to the state's charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in Floyd's death.

He agreed to three years behind bars and is expected to be sentenced for the state's charge on Sept. 21.

J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao,also charged in the case, were found guilty of depriving Floyd of his constitutional rights. They are still awaiting a state trial in January.

A federal judge sentenced Chauvin earlier this month to more than 20 years in prison for violating Floyd's civil rights. Chauvin pleaded guilty to the federal charges in May.