The attorney for former Minneapolis Police Officer Tou Thao says new body cam footage shows why his client should be cleared in the death of George Floyd, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
The footage shows him at one point pushing back members of the small crowd which had gathered, many of them pleading that then police officer Derek Chauvin take his knee off Floyd.
Attorney Robert Paule says Thao never had a full view of Floyd because he turned his attention toward the bystanders.
Thao faces a charge of aiding and abetting second degree murder and manslaughter for allegedly not doing anything to get Chauvin off Floyd.
ABC News has confirmed among those making those pleas was an off duty firefighter who clearly identified herself to Thao.
Courts have also released another video of police interrogating Thao who described the crowd as hostile as they urged him to help Floyd, reported CBS Minnesota.
“Suggesting what?” asked the interviewer.
“Check on him,” replied Thao.
“Did you do that?”
“That was not my job,” said Thao.
“So, no?”
“No.”
Paule has filed a motion for the court to dismiss charges against Thao.
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