Tou Thao convicted of 2nd-degree manslaughter in murder of George Floyd

The conviction of Tou Thao is historic and the right outcome. It brings one more measure of accountability in the tragic death of George Floyd. Accountability is not justice, but it is a step on the road to justice. 

While we have now reached the end of the prosecution of Floyd’s murder, it is not behind us. There is much more that prosecutors, law-enforcement leaders, rank-and-file officers, elected officials, and community can do to bring about true justice in law enforcement and true trust and safety in all communities. To begin with, Congress must act: almost three years after his death, Congress has still not passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. That must change, now. 

Many people deserve our thanks: the world-class team that has seen this historic prosecution from beginning to end; the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for their unflagging partnership; the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for diligently leaving no stone unturned in the investigation; and the United States Attorney’s Office for their purposeful prosecution of the civil-rights case. I also want to thank community in Minnesota and around the world for their clear, unrelenting focus on accountability and justice. 

Above all, my thoughts today are with George Floyd, his young daughter, and his family. Floyd’s loved ones can never have him back, yet they have turned their private tragedy into a public movement for accountability, healing, and justice that keeps Floyd’s legacy vibrant and alive to this day and beyond. 

Nearly three years ago, the images of a police officer murdering George Floyd shocked the world, shattered our community, and devastated those who knew and loved him. Today, the person who aided in the murder by preventing community members from helping Mr. Floyd has been found guilty and held accountable. I hope today’s verdict is another step on the path toward healing for George Floyd’s family. 

I am grateful to the courageous community members whose cooperation was essential to the successful prosecution of the four defendants. I also give my thanks to the Attorney General and his team, the members of the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office who played a role, and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for their investigation. 

Those of us in leadership positions in the legal system have much work to do when it comes to building trust and safety in our communities. We must all commit to doing our part to make our neighborhoods safe for everyone. 

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