Three of the four now ex-police officers involved in the death of George Floyd appeared in court on Thursday.
Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao were arrested on Wednesday and charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Lane and Kueng helped restrain Floyd. Thao stood nearby.
Their first arraignment was set to happen about the same time as Floyd’s memorial at North Central University in Minneapolis.
According to CNN, it was unclear whether or not the hearing would be in person or virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The memorial is the first of several across three cities in the US. All the events are planned to take place within the next six days.
A CBS News report indicates that civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton and family attorney Benjamin Crump were among the speakers.
From Minneapolis, Floyd’s body will be taken to Raeford, North Carolina where he was born. Here, there will be a public viewing and private family service on Saturday.
The next stop is in Houston where he grew up and lived most of his life for both public viewing and a private ceremony till Tuesday.
The other officer, Derek Chauvin who was seen in the viral video pinning the Floyd to the ground by his neck was arrested and charged last week.
Other than third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, prosecutors further charged him with an extreme count of second-degree murder.
Speaking to CNN, Minnesota Attorney, General Keith Ellison said he’s confident the evidence is overwhelming. This is regardless that officers involved in on-duty killings are rarely convicted.
Protests against Floyd’s death and racial injustice are still on.