George Floyd Case: Attorneys For Ex-Officers Chauvin, Lane And Kueng File Motions Opposing Joint Trial
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The attorneys for three of the former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd's death are objecting to a combined trial.
On Tuesday, Thomas Lane's attorney, Earl Gray, submitted the two motions. It comes just days before a scheduled hearing in the case that's slated for Friday.
In the defense's objection to the joining of the case with the other three police officers, Lane's attorney argues that Lane's right to a complete defense "will not be afforded" if the cases are joined.
"There are very likely going to be antagonistic defenses presented at the trial. It is plausible that all Officers have a different version of what happened and Officers place blame on one another. The jury would have to choose between the defendants testimonies to reach their verdict," the motion read.
Gray added that the defenses are inconsistent and the cases cannot be tried together. The attorneys for Derek Chauvin and J. Alexander Kueng filed similar motions objecting to a joint trial.
In a second motion, Gray also requested a venue change, saying that, due to the historic events, an impartial trial will not happen in Hennepin County. Gray requested to move the trial to Washington or Dakota counties.
Attorneys for the other officers -- Chauvin, Kueng, and Tou Thao -- have also requested a change of venue. All four officers' defenses have filed for charges to be dismissed.
MORE: Read court documents here.
Of the four officers, Chauvin faces the most serious charge: third-degree murder and manslaughter. Chauvin is the only officer who remains in custody while awaiting trial.
