Former Minneapolis Police Officer Tou Thao was sentenced to 57 months in prison Monday for aiding and abetting manslaughter in the case of the killing of George Floyd, Minnesota Public Radio reports. Thao, 37, was one of four ex-officers charged in Floyd’s May 25, 2020, death. He spoke for 23 minutes before he was sentenced, spending most of that time quoting from the Bible. Thao compared his situation to the suffering of Job. After Thao spoke, Judge Peter Cahill said “to be perfectly honest, after three years of reflection, I was hoping for a little more remorse, regret, acknowledgment of some responsibility and less preaching.” Thao will be credited for the 340 days he’s already served.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said, “I respect the sentence Judge Cahill imposed today. Even though I am disappointed Thao expressed no remorse today and accepted no responsibility for his actions, his sentence is one more measure of accountability for the Floyd family and every community that suffered from Floyd’s murder,” Ellison wrote. Thao, who’s seen on video keeping concerned bystanders at bay, rejected a plea deal and was found guilty in a bench trial. He told Cahill that “it would be a lie and a sin” to accept guilt. The presumptive prison sentence for aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in Minnesota is four years, although Cahill had some discretion in determining Thao’s sentence.
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