Tou Thao, a former Minneapolis police officer found guilty of violating the civil rights of George Floyd, quoted the Bible during his sentencing. 

In a 22-minute speech, the disgraced officer said he had been "born again" after turning to Christianity after being arrested. 

"When I walked into that jail cell, I grabbed a Bible, and I searched for it, I searched for an answer to all this wickedness, and I couldn't find it," he said.

He urged Floyd's family, and the prosecutors, to "turn to God".

"Don't forget about God. Turn to him," he said.

"As a father of three kids, I can sit here and appeal for mercy. But I appeal to my friends to turn to God."

He has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

He didn't, however, apologise to the Floyd family. Instead, he apologised to a court reporter tasked with transcribing his speech. 

Thao failed to intervene when the 46-year-old was murdered following his arrest. 

He was sentenced alongside J Alexander Kueng with whom he was convicted in February of violating George Floyd's rights by failing to provide care or intervene.

Kueng will spend three years behind bars.

Last year, lead officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of Mr Floyd's murder and sentenced to 22 years in prison.