The police officer convicted of the murder of George Floyd plans to change his not guilty plea in a separate civil rights case, a court filing says.
Derek Chauvin, who was sentenced to 22-and-a-half years in prison for the murder, appears likely to change his plea from not guilty to guilty to the federal charges of violating the civil rights of Mr Floyd.
Mr Floyd's death in May 2020 sparked protests against racial injustice and police brutality in the United States and across the world.
The change of plea hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in US District Court in St Paul, Minnesota.
Chauvin and three other police officers who were on the scene during Mr Floyd's fatal arrest — Tou Thao, Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane — were charged with violating his constitutional rights and failing to respond to his medical needs.
All four pleaded not guilty to the federal charges in September and are scheduled to go on trial next year.
Chauvin was charged separately in federal court with depriving Floyd of his rights by failing to provide him with medical attention. Chauvin also is federally charged with violating Floyd's right to be free from unreasonable seizure and unreasonable force by a police officer.
Chauvin was found guilty on charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Source: EPA
Demands to end police brutality
Chauvin, who is white, was captured on video kneeling on Mr Floyd's neck for nearly 10 minutes, until he fell unconscious and died.
Mr Keung and Mr Lane helped to restrain the handcuffed Mr Floyd, while Mr Thao kept away bystanders who were pleading with the officers to get off of Mr Floyd as he complained he was unable to breathe.
The scene, filmed and uploaded by a young woman, quickly spread around the world.
Hundreds of thousands of people subsequently poured onto streets across the country and overseas to demand an end to racism and police brutality.
The ex-police officer and three of his colleagues arrested Mr Floyd on suspicion of having used a fake $20 note in a store in Minneapolis.
A jury took less than 10 hours to convict Chauvin in April at the end of a high-profile trial.
The verdict was greeted with relief by many Americans amid fears an acquittal could trigger further unrest.
Demonstrators march towards the Brooklyn Bridge at the one year anniversary protest of George Floyd's death in lower Manhattan in New York. Source: EPA
Chauvin has since appealed against his conviction, accusing the state of prejudicial misconduct and listed multiple issues with the jury selected for the trial, among other objections.
The former police officer accused the court of "abusing its discretion" by denying requests to postpone or move the trial, and refusing to sequester the jury for its duration.
