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The cross-examination of one of the former officers who participated in the murder of George Floyd got tense on Wednesday (February 16), after prosecutors asked him why he didn't pull Derek Chauvin off the 46-year-old during the fatal May 2020 arrest.
"I think I would trust a 19-year veteran to figure it out," Tou Thao said from the stand, according to CNN. Thao, along with Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng are facing federal civil rights violation charges for their role in the murder of Floyd.
Thao and Kueng are also facing charges of willfully failing to intervene in Chauvin's use of force –– kneeling on Floyd's neck and back for nine and half minutes.
The three former officers pleaded not guilty in the charges and are being tried together, while Chauvin who was convicted on state murder charges and serving a 22 and half year prison sentence, pleaded guilty.
The group of officers will also stand trial on state aiding and abetting charges later this year.
Kueng is scheduled to take the stand after Thao and Lane told the judge he also wanted to testify in his defense, though he would speak with his attorney prior to making a final decision.
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