9:03 AM PT -- Ben Crump and his legal team also praised the federal indictment, saying it "reinforces the strength and wisdom of the United States Constitution."
The civil rights attorneys claim the constitutional violations Floyd suffered are clear, adding ... "We are encouraged by these charges and eager to see continued justice in this historic case that will impact Black citizens and all Americans for generations to come."
8:11 AM PT -- Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison commends the feds on the indictment of the former officers, calling it "entirely appropriate, particularly now that Derek Chauvin has been convicted of murder."
Ellison adds that the State is working hard to present its case against the other 3 defendants later this summer.
A federal grand jury has charged Derek Chauvin and the 3 other former Minneapolis PD officers involved in George Floyd's arrest with violating his civil rights.
J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao appeared Friday via video conference in the U.S. District Court in Minneapolis following the grand jury indictment. Chauvin was not present.
According to the legal docs, obtained by TMZ, all 4 ex-officers have been hit with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law ... meaning they allegedly deprived Floyd of his constitutional right "not to be deprived of liberty without due process of law."
The indictment says the defendants "saw George Floyd lying on the ground in clear need of medical care, and willfully failed to aid Floyd, thereby acting with deliberate indifference to a substantial risk of harm to Floyd. This offense resulted in bodily injury to, and the death of, George Floyd."
Thao and Kueng face an additional count claiming they "willfully failed to intervene" to stop Chauvin. Chauvin is facing an additional count for "the use of unreasonable force" resulting in Floyd's death. If convicted, all 4 face the stiffest of penalties -- a federal judge could sentence them to life in prison or death.
As you know, Chauvin was convicted of murdering Floyd last month, and is in Minnesota’s only maximum-security prison as he awaits sentencing.
The other 3 ex-cops will go on trial in state court in August, but they're currently free on bond, and will be allowed to remain free after Friday’s federal court appearance.
Originally Published -- 7:49 AM PT