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Delay sought in ex-officers’ trial over George Floyd’s death

08:34 AM Jan 02, 2021 | PTI |

Minneapolis (US): Prosecutors in the case against the four Minneapolis officers charged in the death of George Floyd requested that the trial delayed by three months.

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The Star Tribune reports prosecutors cited the COVID-19 pandemic and the amount of time needed before enough people are vaccinated and health risks are sufficiently diminished.

The trial has been scheduled for March 8 for the four now-fired police officers charged in the death of Floyd on May 25 while he was forcibly detained on a south Minneapolis street corner.

In its motion, the prosecution argued that putting off the trial until June 7 “appropriately balances the need to protect public health with the need to ensure that this case is resolved expeditiously.”

Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao, J Alexander Kueng, and Thomas Lane are scheduled to be tried together. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter, and the others are charged with aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter.

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Chauvin’s attorney, Eric Nelson said, said doesn’t intend to object to the prosecution seeking a delay in the trial.

King’s attorney, Thomas Plunkett, said the prosecution’s motion pointing to COVID-19 is puzzling.

“The timing of their motion seems curious to me,” Plunkett said.

“The pandemic has been around for a while.” Thao”s lawyer, Robert Paule, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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