• $1.25 million bail set for former officer accused of murder in George Floyd case

MINNEAPOLIS — Unconditional bail for former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin was raised by $250,000 to $1.25 million Monday afternoon in the May 25 killing of George Floyd while in police custody.

Chauvin made his first court appearance by video feed, handcuffed in an orange jumpsuit sitting at a small conference room table in the Hennepin County jail.

In a hearing that lasted just 15 minutes, prosecutor

Matthew Frank argued that the “severity of the charges” and the strength of public opinion against Chauvin made him a more likely flight risk. Frank asked District Court Judge Jeannice Reding to raise his bail from $750,000 to $1 million with conditions, and from $1 million to $1.25 million without conditions.

The conditions include: that he remain law abiding; that he not have any contact with Floyd’s family; that he not work in law enforcement or security; that he surrender any firearms and licenses to carry; that he remains in Minnesota under court supervision; and that he sign a waiver of extradition upon his release.

Neither Chauvin nor his lawyer, Eric Nelson, objected.

Chauvin, 44, faces charges of second-degree murder without intent, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Chauvin did not enter a plea at the hearing. His next court appearance was set for June 29.

First appearances are typically procedural: The charges can be read to a defendant, although most attorneys waive the reading, bail is argued and another hearing date is set.

Chauvin was charged four days after he detained Floyd, a 46-year-old black man from St. Louis Park, on May 25. He is being held at the state prison at Oak Park Heights.

The courtroom was mostly empty, filled only by a handful of sheriff’s deputies, reporters and lawyers. Plastic covers had been added along the bar separating the audience and lawyers as a precaution against the pandemic. Two large flat-screen televisions were placed in front of the judge’s bench to show a live feed of Chauvin, who sat with jail personnel in a separate conference room.