Judge delays trial of 2 ex-cops in Floyd killing until 2023
Former officers Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng[Hennepin County Jail]
One week after two former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s death requested their trial to be delayed and held at a new location, their request has been partially granted.
According to court documents obtained by Hubbard Broadcasting sister-station KSTP, the trial for two former Minneapolis police officers has been moved to January 2023. Former officers Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng are now expected to stand trial in early January, with jury selection beginning Monday, Jan. 9 at 9 a.m.
Opening statements are expected to begin on Monday, Jan. 30.
Questionnaires are expected to be sent out to a new panel of jurors around Sept. 1.
Meanwhile, the request to change the venue was denied.
A motion filed last month by Thao and Kueng asked Judge Peter Cahill to delay their state trial until after they and former officer Thomas Lane—who already pleaded guilty in the state case—face sentencing on their federal convictions.
Thao, Kueng and Lane were convicted in federal court earlier this year of violating Floyd’s civil rights. However, their sentencing dates haven’t yet been set.
Thao and Kueng’s state trial was set to begin on June 13. They’re each charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.