The defense attorney for the third officer charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights resigned Monday. This allowed for closing arguments in the one-month-long federal trial. Thomas Lane’s lawyer was released after Lane said that Floyd seemed to be doing well while being handcuffed face down on the street with Officer Derek Chauvin’s knee pressing against his neck. Paramedics arrived and turned Floyd over.
Lane’s codefendants, Tou Thaio and J. Alexander Kueng presented their cases last Wednesday.
Lane, 38, claimed that he saw Floyd’s face for the first time since police placed the 46-year old Black man on the ground and tried to arrest him. Lane said that he had seen Floyd’s chest rise, fall and be held by Lane as he tried to hold Floyd’s legs. He also believed Floyd had blood pressure because of the veins visible in his arm.
“What was the first thing that came to your mind when you saw him there, once he had been tipped over?” Earl Gray, Lane’s attorney asked.
“Um. “He didn’t look well,” Lane stated while testifying for J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao.
Three former officers have been charged with denying Floyd his right to medical treatment. Kueng and Thao were also accused of failing to stop Chauvin’s May 25, 2020 killing. This triggered worldwide protests and a reexamination on racism and police work. Kueng kneeled on Floyd’s back, while Thao remained silent.
Cross-examination revealed that Lane stated to Samantha Trepel, a prosecutor, that he was trained to respond to emergencies and provide medical care when necessary. Lane stated that CPR should be initiated immediately if someone is without a pulse. However, this is not always possible in law enforcement.
Lane earlier testified that Floyd fought with officers when they tried to get him into a squad vehicle. They were responding to a complaint about Floyd using a $20 counterfeit bill from a corner shop. Lane stated that Floyd was bleeding and Lane called an ambulance.
Lane stated that officers placed Floyd on the ground and considered using a hobble. This is a restraint device which would have required Floyd to be on his side in order for him to breathe better. The hobble can be attached to the waist or ankles using straps.
Lane claimed Thao bought the device but it was then suggested that they not use it. Lane stated that Thao pointed out to them that they would need to call a supervisor if they used it. Paramedics would also need to remove the device.
Lane stated that it seemed excessive, as an ambulance was coming.
Lane stated that he had also suggested Floyd get his legs up because he was still kicking. But, “Officer Chauvin said,” “No, we’re fine.”
Lane stated that Floyd stopped resisting after four minutes. He said that he asked Chauvin if Floyd should be rolled onto his side. Lane stated that he was concerned about “excited Delirium”, a condition that is disputed and which he believed to be a form of an “adrenaline addiction.”
Lane claimed that Floyd was not breathing at one time. Lane countered that Floyd was breathing. Lane answered the question, “I could feel his chest rising and falling.”
He stated that even though he couldn’t find Floyd’s pulse, he believed Floyd had blood pressure. Because he could see the veins rising in Floyd’s arm, he knew Floyd had high blood pressure.
A paramedic checked Floyd’s pulse when he arrived at the ambulance. Lane stated that Floyd was fine, even though Lane did not feel the need to act urgently.
Lane was able to see Floyd’s face and rushed to the ambulance. He was instructed to perform chest compressions.
He recalled his efforts to save Floyd’s, but he stopped a few times and sniffled.
Lane stated, “I wasn’t sure if the man was breathing or not.”
Prosecutors claim that Floyd was not rolled onto his side and that they did not give him CPR. Defense lawyers have criticized the department’s training and highlighted a culture that emphasized respect for senior officers such as Chauvin.
Trepel agreed that Lane was trained to help someone out of a prone position. In a statement to state investigators six days after the murder, Lane also stated that he felt the situation could have been handled differently.
Last week, Kueng and Thao both testified. Thao stated that he relied on Floyd’s medical care while controlling the crowd and traffic. Kueng, who was also a rookie like Lane, said that he deferred too Chauvin.
Lane followed the footsteps of his grandfather, great-grandfather, and father when he became Minneapolis police officer. He testified that officers were instructed to call them “Sir” or “Ma’am” and to stand when they entered the room.
Lane, who’s White, Kueng, who’s Black, and Thao (who is Hmong American) will face separate state trials in June. They are accused of aiding and abiding murder and manslaughter.
Chauvin, a White man, was convicted by a state court of murder. He pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights offense in December.
