Former Minneapolis policeman Thomas Lane pleads guilty in George Floyd case

'His acknowledgment he did something wrong is an important step', Minnesota attorney general says

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  Protesters march on the Brooklyn Bridge during a demonstration on the first anniversary of the death of George Floyd, in New York. Reuters

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  Some streets in Manhattan were closed due to the demonstrations on Tuesday evening. AP

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  The musician Common performs with the Sounds of Blackness at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd's death in May 2020 led to worldwide protests and calls for police reform or abolition. Getty

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  Robin Puttin leads a prayer while kneeling and raising her hand on the first anniversary of George Floyd's death, at George Floyd Square, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reuters

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  Electric and LED candles bearing the names of people killed by police illuminate the fist sculpture as people gather at the George Floyd Square. Reuters

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  A man is reflected in a sign during a vigil held to remember George Floyd in Lynn, Massachusetts. Reuters

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  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi meets the family of the late George Floyd at the US Capitol in Washington. The family met President Joe Biden and various US politicians, and participated in a memorial at Black Lives Matter Plaza. EPA

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  People gather at the sight where George Floyd was killed one year ago, at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis - an area now called George Floyd Square. EPA

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  A man stands next to a mural of George Floyd in Houston, Texas. Reuters

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  A family member holds onto Gianna Floyd, daughter of George Floyd, at the White House following their meeting with President Biden in Washington. Reuters

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  Gianna Floyd and other family members and lawyers, raise fists after meeting President Biden in Washington. Reuters

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  Community organiser Tommy McBrayer leads a chant in solidarity with George Floyd, at George Floyd Square, in Minneapolis. Reuters

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  New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Reverend Al Sharpton kneel with community leaders for nine minutes and 29 seconds, symbolising Floyd's ordeal at the hands of police. Reuters

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  Philonise Floyd, brother to George Floyd, puts his arm around Speaker Nancy Pelosi, near Rep. Karen Bass, as he and other members of the Floyd family meet politicians at the US Capitol. Reuters

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  A man places a candle at a memorial in honour of George Floyd, at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. Reuters

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  Black Lives Matter protesters hold placards and shout slogans in Brooklyn, New York. AFP

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  People gather at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. AP

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  A man sits in front of the Say Their Names cemetery, close to George Floyd Square, in Minneapolis. AP

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  Two women sit on a roof as they listen to a memorial music performance, at George Floyd Square, in Minneapolis. EPA

One of three Minneapolis policemen who watched fellow officer Derek Chauvin kill balck man George Floyd by kneeling on his neck pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting manslaughter in the 2020 case.

Chauvin, who is white, was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison last year after his conviction on charges of murdering Floyd, a black man suspected of passing a counterfeit bill.

By entering the plea on Wednesday, former officer Thomas Lane avoided a trial on the more serious charge of aiding and abetting second-degree murder.

Lane agreed to a sentence of three years in prison, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.

The two other former officers involved in Floyd's arrest, Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng, are to face trial in June on both of the state charges, the online Hennepin County Court records said.

"His acknowledgment he did something wrong is an important step toward healing the wounds of the Floyd family, our community and the nation," Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said.

In February, Lane, Thao and Kueng were convicted on federal charges of depriving Floyd of his civil rights by failing to give aid to him when he showed signs of distress.

He was pinned under Chauvin's knee for more than nine minutes.

Chauvin has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges that he violated Floyd's civil rights.

Floyd's killing sparked protests in cities around the world against police brutality and racism.