Three former Minneapolis police officers who were present during George Floyd’s murder face trial on Monday.
The ex-officers stand accused of violating Mr Floyd’s civil rights.
Mr Floyd, 46, died in May 2020 after Derek Chauvin pressed him to the ground with his knee for nine-and-a-half minutes, resulting in his death.
Former officers Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J Alexander Kueng, who were at the scene, stand accused of violating Mr Floyd’s civil rights by failing to administer medical aid to him.
Kueng and Thao are also charged with failing to intervene when Derek Chauvin knelt on Mr Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes.
Both counts allege the officers’ actions resulted in Mr Floyd’s death.
Opening arguments will be heard on Monday, with Judge Paul Magnuson saying the trial could last for about a month.
Prosecutors will try to prove that all three defendants willingly denied Mr Floyd his constitutional rights - by depriving him of his liberty without due process of law.
Lawyer Ben Crump, who represents Mr Floyd’s family, tweeted: “Derek Chauvin’s knee was on George Floyd’s neck, but the other three officers aided and abetted in his death. They could have saved Floyd’s life. They must ALSO be held responsible for their inaction!”
Chauvin is not facing trial on these charges as he pled guilty to them in December, months after his conviction for murder and manslaughter.
He was initially sentenced to 22.5 years and could have his jail term increased as a result of this latest guilty plea.
This is the first of two trials the three former police officers will face this year.
The former police officers are also charged in a Minnesota state court with aiding and abetting the murder and manslaughter of Mr Floyd.
That trial is due to start on June 13.
