MINNEAPOLIS, United States (AFP) — A Minneapolis judge today set a US$1 million bail for police officer Derek Chauvin as he made his first court appearance charged with the murder of George Floyd, the 46-year-old African-American man whose death has sparked nationwide protests.
Chauvin, who was filmed on May 25 pressing his knee on handcuffed Floyd’s neck until he expired, appeared by video from Minnesota state prison to face charges of one count of second degree murder, one count of third degree murder, and one count of manslaughter.
In a procedural hearing that did not require Chauvin, 44, to submit a plea, the judge in the Hennepin County District Court set his bail at US$1 million with conditions, and US$1.25 million without conditions.
Meeting the conditions would require him to surrender his firearms, not work in law enforcement or security in any capacity, and have no contact with the family of Floyd.
