Former officer Thomas Lane sentenced to 3 years for his role in George Floyd’s death

Former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane was sentenced this week for his role in the death of George Floyd in the summer of 2020.

The ex-officer appeared virtually for his sentencing hearing on Wednesday, where Judge Peter Cahill, who has overseen all the state hearings regarding the Floyd case, sentenced him to 3 years in state prison. Lane joined the hearing from federal prison, where he has been serving a 2.5 year sentence for his role in the murder.

Lane pleaded guilty to the Minnesota state charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in May. By doing so, he avoided a second charge of aiding and abetting second-degree murder.

Lane’s wife recently gave birth to the couple’s first child, and Lane is seeking the shortest sentence possible so he can be in his child’s life, according to court reporters who were present at his hearing in July.

State prosecutors agreed to allow Lane to serve his state and federal sentences concurrently. He will additionally be required by state law to register as a “predatory offender.”

Lane was one of four officers involved in the killing. He held Floyd’s legs down as another former officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on Floyd’s neck for about nine minutes, ultimately killing him. Chauvin was convicted and sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role, while the two other officers, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng, were sentenced to three and three and a half years, respectively.

“I think it was a very wise decision for you to accept responsibility and move on with your life,” said Judge Cahill during the sentencing, referring to Lane’s guilty plea.