Former MPD officers make pre-trial court appearances

At a pre-trial hearing June 29, four former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd were told their next hearing would be September 11, and their trial will start on March 8, 2021.

Derek Chauvin, who is being held at Oak Park Heights prison, was virtually present via Zoom. Tou Thao, who is being held in the Hennepin County jail and Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, who were released on bail, appeared in person this afternoon. The next hearing was put on the calendar three months from now because of the large amount of evidence that has to be turned over to the defense attorneys and the time they will need to examine it.

The only other issues covered in the roughly 40-minute hearing was a warning from Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Cahill that he might issue a gag order if politicians and the attorney general’s office continue to make comments about the four former officers or about the case against them.

Judge Cahill also said he would revisit the issue of allowing cameras in the courtroom for the trial at a later date.