Ex-Cops Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao Sentenced for Helping Derek Chauvin

Three and Three-and-a-Half Years Behind Bars

Convicted of Aiding and Abetting Second-Degree Murder

In a long-awaited verdict, former Minneapolis police officers Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao have been sentenced to three and three-and-a-half years in prison, respectively, for their roles in aiding and abetting the murder of George Floyd.

Kueng and Thao were convicted in February of failing to intervene as their then-colleague, Derek Chauvin, knelt on Floyd's neck for over nine minutes during an arrest. Floyd's death sparked widespread protests and a national reckoning on police brutality.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Kueng and Thao had a duty to protect Floyd and that their failure to do so directly contributed to his death. Defense attorneys, meanwhile, maintained that the two officers were following Chauvin's orders and that they feared for their own safety if they intervened.

The sentences handed down by Judge Peter Cahill were significantly shorter than the 12 and 14 years, respectively, that prosecutors had requested. Cahill cited the fact that Kueng and Thao were first-time offenders and that there was no evidence they had ever used excessive force before.

The sentencing brings some measure of closure to Floyd's family and the Minneapolis community. However, it also serves as a reminder of the systemic racism and police brutality that continue to plague our society.

The families of Kueng and Thao have expressed disappointment with the sentences, arguing that they were too lenient. However, prosecutors maintain that the punishments were fair and commensurate with the crimes committed.

The legacy of George Floyd's death will continue to shape the debate on police reform and racial justice in the United States. The sentencing of Kueng and Thao is a step towards accountability, but much more work remains to be done to address the root causes of police brutality and systemic racism.