Bodycam Transcripts Shed More Light on George Floyd's Final Moments
According to bodycam transcripts obtained by TMZ, former Minneapolis officer Thomas Lane confronted Floyd in a car and immediately demanded he show his hands.
George Floyd began fearing for his life as soon as officers approached him on the night of his death.
According to bodycam transcripts obtained by TMZ, former Minneapolis officer Thomas Lane confronted Floyd in a car and immediately demanding the 46-year-old Black man to show his hands. Floyd started apologizing to Lane, insisting he was nervous due to a previous gun-related incident.
"I'm so sorry. God dang man ... I got shot the same way Mr. Officer, before," Floyd reportedly told Lane. "Last time, I got shot like that Mr. Officer, it was the same thing ... Please don't shoot me. Please, man ... I'll look at you eye-to-eye, man. Please don't shoot me."
Lane reassured Floyd he wasn't going to shoot; but just several moments later, three officers were pinning Floyd to the ground for allegedly passing a counterfeit bill. The transcript was included in a newly filed motion to dismiss the charges against Lane, who is one of four officers charged in Floyd's May 25 police killing.
A bystander filmed the attempted arrest that ultimately led to Floyd's death. Video showed former officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes as he repeatedly shouted, "I can't breathe." Lane was seen pinning Floyd's legs to the pavement, while ex-officer J. Alexander Kueng pushed on Floyd's back. Their former colleague Tou Thao stood by and attempted to keep bystanders at bay, as they pleaded with officers to release Floyd.
Chauvin has since been charged with murder and manslaughter, while Lane, Kueng, and Thao were each charged with manslaughter as well as aiding and abetting murder. Lane's attorney argues, however, that his client was not responsible for Floyd's death. His lawyer Earl Gray points out that Lane had suggested Floyd be rolled on his side, but Chauvin objected. He also claims Lane "had no reason to believe that a third degree assault was being committed, nor did he intend for the restraints of his Floyd’s legs to help commit a crime."
Per Gray's legal arguments obtained by the Star-Tribune:
Related News
life
George Floyd and Minneapolis Cop Derek Chauvin Worked Security at Same Bar
life
Derek Chauvin’s Bail Set at $1.25 Million as Ex-Cop Accused of Killing George Floyd Makes First Court Appearance
life
Former Co-Worker Changes Story After Saying George Floyd and Derek Chauvin 'Bumped Heads' Working at Club (UPDATE)
life
Derek Chauvin's Bail Set For $500,000 After Being Arrested and Charged in George Floyd's Death (UPDATE)