Politics

Ex-Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin bail set at up to $1.25 million for George Floyd murder charges

Key Points
  • Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murdering George Floyd during an arrest, had his bail set at up to $1.25 million Monday.
  • Floyd, who was black, died on Memorial Day after Chauvin knelt on his neck to restrain him for nearly nine minutes. The incident has sparked protests nationwide.
  • Chauvin, who is white, is charged with second- and third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin poses for an undated booking photograph taken after he was transferred from a county jail to a Minnesota Department of Corrections state facility.
Minnesota Department of Corrections | Reuters

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murdering George Floyd during an arrest, had his bail set at up to $1.25 million Monday.

Floyd, who was black, died May 25 after Chauvin knelt on his neck to restrain him for nearly nine minutes while he was being detained on suspicion of using a counterfeit $20 bill to make a purchase. The incident has sparked protests nationwide.

Chauvin, who is white, is charged with second- and third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.

The 44-year-old former cop, who has been in jail for nearly two weeks, appeared in Hennepin County District Court via a remote video feed, wearing an orange jumpsuit and blue mask, with handcuffs.

Chauvin will have to post $1.25 million bail if he wants to be released with no conditions, Judge Jeannice Reding ordered.

Protests against police brutality spread beyond the U.S.
VIDEO2:0402:04
Protests against police brutality spread beyond the U.S.

But he can be released after posting $1 million bail if he agrees to abide by conditions that include appearing for all future court appearances, does not work in a security capacity, and does not possess firearms or retain a firearms permit, Reding said.  

Three other ex-cops involved in the arrest of the 46-year-old Floyd were charged last week with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

The three other men, J. Alexander Kueng, 26, Thomas Lane, 37, and 34-year-old Tou Thao, were arraigned last week. They were ordered held in lieu of $1 million bail with no conditions, and on lieu of $750,000 bail with conditions that mirror those set for Chavuin on Monday.

All four cops were fired a day after Floyd's death, when a video of the incident was widely disseminated.

Chauvin's next court hearing is set for June 29.