The four fired MPD officers charged in the death of George Floyd appeared in court Monday.
Derek Chauvin, charged with Floyd’s murder, appeared via video while the remaining officers J Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao appeared in person.
Chauvin was the officer seen in videos shot by onlookers pinning Floyd against the pavement with his knee on his neck for more than seven minutes until he became unresponsive.
The other officers were seen in videos either holding down Floyd’s torso and lower body as Chauvin kept his knee on his neck or standing guard while Floyd repeatedly complained of not being able to breathe.
The massive amount of media attention over the case and public comments from officials led Thao’s attorney, Robert Paule, to raise concerns in court that his client wouldn’t be able to obtain a fair trial.
