One of the police officers convicted in the killing of George Floyd was released from prison on Tuesday, according to ABC News.
Thomas Lane was found guilty of “violating the civil rights” of the African-American along with two other former Minneapolis police officers, after a federal trial in 2022.
The 41-year-old was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after standing by during the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. Thomas Lane served his sentence in a Colorado detention center.
His colleagues Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, who also remained passive, were sentenced to three and three and a half years in prison respectively.
AFP
“He paid his debt”
A spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Corrections said Lane was released, but will still be under supervision for the next year.
“Thomas Lane has served his sentence and paid his debt to society. I wish him well as he reintegrates into his community,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Archive photo, AFP
Recall that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin placed his knee on George Floyd’s neck for nine minutes during his arrest. The 46-year-old victim repeatedly indicated that she could no longer breathe, before taking her last breath.
Derek Chauvin was stabbed in a Phoenix penitentiary last November. He was transferred to a Texas penitentiary. The 48-year-old is serving a 22 1/2-year sentence.
