Ex-officer charged in Floyd’s death free after posting $1M bond
MINNEAPOLIS — The former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd was released from prison onWednesday.
According to court documents, Derek Chauvin posted a $1 million bond and was released from the state’s facility in Oak Park Heights, where hehad been detained. Hennepin County jail records showhe was released shortly before 11:30 a.m.
Floyd, a Black man in handcuffs, died May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for several minutes as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe. Floyd’s death was captured in widely seen bystander video that set off protests around theworld.
Chauvin and three other officers were fired. Chauvin is charged with seconddegree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter; Thomas Lane, J.
Kueng and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter.
It was not clear where Chauvin got the money to pay his bond. In Minnesota, someone who posts bond must pay 10%, in this case $100,000, to the bond company and have collateral, such as a house, to back the full amount. A message left with the company that posted the bond, Allegheny Casualty Company, was not immediately returned.
The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, which has a legal defense fund, did not provide any money, a spokeswoman said.
A message left with the union representing Minneapolis police officers was not returned.
The website GiveSend
Go.com, which says it is a free Christian crowdfunding site, has a Derek Chauvin Bail Fund that says it was created by his family.
According to the site, as of midday Wednesday that fund raised $4,198 of its $125,000 goal, with donations from more than 35 people. A posting on the site dated Sept. 12 said it took time to set up a fundraising effort due to the high-profile nature of the case.
Chauvin had the option of posting bail for $1.25 million without conditions or $1 million with conditions. Under the conditions of his release, he must attend all court appearances, cannot have any direct or indirect contact — including socialmedia contact— with any members of Floyd’s family, cannotwork in lawenforcement or security, and must not possess any firearms ammunition.
Chauvin’s attorney had no comment Wednesday.
Chauvin’s wife, Kellie Chauvin, filed for divorce shortly after Floyd’s death.