MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A former Minneapolis police officer who held back bystanders while George Floyd was murdered during his arrest in 2020 was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison on Monday.
Tou Thao was charged with for aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of Floyd in May 2020. He was found guilty in May.
During the fatal arrest of Floyd, Thao stood nearby and kept back a crowd of bystanders, as well as an an off-duty firefighter who tried to provide aid while mocking Floyd who said he couldn’t breathe.
Thao was the last officer to be sentenced on state and federal charges in connection with the fatal arrest of George Floyd. Former police officers Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng have all been sentenced to prison for their roles in George Floyd’s death.
In July 2022, Thao was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison after he was convicted in February 2022 of violating Floyd’s civil rights during the arrest.
Thao has received credit for 340 days already served in jail.
More about Thao’s sentencing can be found here.
