Policeman charged over George Floyd’s murder released on bail
The former Minneapolis police officer charged with murdering George Floyd has been released from prison after posting $1m bail.
According to court documents, Derek Chauvin posted the bond on Wednesday, and the Department of Corrections confirmed he was no longer in custody at the state's facility in Oak Park Heights, where he had been detained.
Mr Floyd, a black man in handcuffs, died on May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against his neck for several minutes as Mr Floyd said he could not breathe.
His death was captured in widely seen bystander video that set off protests around the world.
Chauvin and three other officers were fired.
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and other crimes. Thomas Lane, J Kueng and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting.
The other three officers previously posted bail amounts of 750,000 dollars and have been free pending trial.
Currently, all four men are scheduled to face trial together in March but the judge is weighing a request to have them tried separately.
There was a furious reaction on social media following the latest development:
DO YOU WANT RIOTS?!
Because this is how you get riots!
(out on bail) https://t.co/yoHl0nlFFd— Femi (@Femi_Sorry) October 7, 2020
Derek Chauvin took a knee on George Floyd's neck, snuffing out his life like some kind of animal at the slaughterhouse. And no matter how many of us protested on the streets and screamed to be heard, Derek Chauvin walks free on bail because this is America.
No justice, no peace.— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) October 7, 2020
Prepare for nationwide riots
Derek Chauvin has posted his $1M bail— Tayler Hansen (@TaylerUSA) October 7, 2020
🙋♂️Raise your hand if you're furious that Derek Chauvin is out on bail.
— Steve Herzfeld 🌊 (@american2084) October 7, 2020