A FORMER Minneapolis police officer, in the US state of Minnesota, pleaded guilty yesterday to manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.

Thomas Lane pleaded guilty to the charge of second-degree manslaughter, according to the office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, reported Xinhua.

“Today my thoughts are once again with the victim, George Floyd, and his family. Nothing will bring Floyd back. He should still be with us today,” Ellison said in a statement.

“I am pleased Thomas Lane has accepted responsibility for his role in Floyd’s death,” Ellison continued. “His acknowledgment he did something wrong is an important step toward healing the wounds of the Floyd family, our community, and the nation.”

Lane and two other former Minneapolis police officers were found guilty in a federal trial earlier this year of violating Floyd’s civil rights.

Floyd, 46, died on May 25, 2020, after a confrontation with Minneapolis police during which Lane’s then colleague Derek Chauvin knelt on the African American’s neck for more than nine minutes.

Chauvin’s state trial took place last year, and he was convicted of murdering Floyd. The white male is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence.

Floyd’s death sparked protests across the United States in the summer of 2020 against police brutality and systemic racism. – Bernama, May 19, 2022.