Tuo Thao speaks out after prison sentence in George Floyd case

Former police officer Tuo Thao is speaking out after serving more than three years in prison for his role in the death of George Floyd. Thao was sentenced to 42 months in federal court for violating civil rights and 57 months by the State of Minnesota for aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

Thao maintains that he refused to testify against his partner, Derek Chauvin, whom he describes as innocent. He stated that he would not “bend the knee to the mob” or act as a witness for prosecutors who hoped he would turn on Chauvin. Thao also expressed his belief that the racial narratives surrounding the case were manufactured to increase social tension.