Kneeling remember the death of George Floyd 4:14
(CNN) --
Thomas Lane, a former Minneapolis police officer, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter Wednesday in connection with the May 2020 killing of George Floyd, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement.
Derek Chauvin appeals his murder conviction in George Floyd's death
"I am pleased that Thomas Lane has accepted responsibility for his role in Floyd's death," Ellison said.
"His acknowledgment that he did something wrong is an important step in healing the wounds of the Floyd family, our community and the nation. While accountability is not justice, this is a significant moment in this case and a necessary resolution in our lives." continued journey towards justice," he added.
Lane's attorney, Earl Gray, did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment Wednesday.
Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng faced state charges of aiding and abetting murder and aiding and abetting manslaughter for their actions ––or omission–– when their colleague Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into the neck and back of Floyd, who was handcuffed and lying on his stomach, for more than nine minutes.
Three Former Minneapolis Police Officers Found Guilty of Violating George Floyd's Civil Rights
During the arrest, Lane held Floyd's legs, Kueng his torso, and Thao stood close to them, while holding back a crowd of concerned bystanders.
A harrowing video recorded by a witness showed Floyd desperately begging to be allowed to breathe and calling his mother before falling silent and dying there, sparking an international protest movement against the way the police treat citizens. blacks.
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The charges against former police officers for the death of George Floyd
Lane, Thou and Kueng pleaded not guilty to state charges and refused a plea deal with prosecutors last month, the district attorney's office said.
Thao and Kueng are still expected to face a state trial next month.
The three former police officers were already convicted in federal court in February of violating the civil rights of George Floyd.
At that trial, Lane testified that he twice asked Chauvin to change Floyd's position while he was holding him, but was denied both times.
Chauvin was sentenced in state court last year on the murder charge in Floyd's death and received more than 22 years in prison.
As part of a plea deal, Chauvin accepted responsibility for himself in December facing federal civil rights charges related to Floyd's death and the restraining of a teenager in a separate incident.
George Floyd Minneapolis