Ex-Minneapolis Police officer Thomas Lane pleads guilty to manslaughter in George Floyd's death

The former Minneapolis Police officer who held down George Floyd's legs during his fatal restraint pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter Wednesday as part of a plea deal, attorneys said.

Thomas Lane, 39, was one of three former officers to face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter and aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder related to Floyd's death in May 2020.

In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the murder charge, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's office said. State and defense attorneys jointly recommended to the court a sentence of 36 months, according to his office.