Thomas Lane Released from Federal Prison

Thomas Lane, a former Minneapolis police officer convicted in the killing of George Floyd, was released from federal prison on supervised probation after serving a 2.5-year sentence for violating Floyd's civil rights. Lane was found guilty of aiding and abetting in manslaughter, having restrained Floyd while Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck. He is the first of the four officers involved in the incident to be released, while Chauvin is currently serving a combined 41-year sentence in federal and state prisons. Lane's actions during the restraint, including his attempts to intervene, were noted during his sentencing as factors contributing to a lesser sentence. The case, which gained worldwide attention, has led to ongoing discussions about police reform and racial injustice. Other former officers, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, are scheduled for release in 2025.