Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin will be allowed to leave Minnesota while on bail as he awaits trial on murder charges for the death of George Floyd, a judge has ruled.
Chauvin, 44, was released from a maximum security prison where he had been held since his arrest in May after posting $1million bond on Wednesday.
His release triggered two nights of protests in Minneapolis and St Paul, prompting Governor Tim Walz to mobilize National Guard troops and state law enforcement officers to help keep the peace.
Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill on Friday issued new conditions of his release, citing safety concerns and allowed him to await his trial out of state.
Fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin (left) was released from prison on Wednesday after posting non-cash bond. A Hennepin County judge on Friday issued new terms for his release citing ‘safety concerns’
Chauvin was charged with murder and manslaughter in May after viral footage showed him pressing his knee against George Floyd’s neck shortly before he died
He said the state Department of Corrections, which is supervising Chauvin, presented evidence ‘supporting safety concerns that have arisen.’
The order did not specify what that evidence entailed but said the defense and prosecution had agreed to the new terms.
Chauvin, who is white, is accused of killing Floyd, 46, during his arrest on May 25 after pressing his knee against his neck for several minutes even after the handcuffed black man pleaded for air.
His previous conditions prohibited him from leaving Minnesota without court permission and ordered him to sign extradition waivers if he was released.
Under the new conditions, he ‘must establish residency somewhere in the State of Minnesota or a contiguous state as soon as possible’ and report it to his supervising officer.
His release on Wednesday triggered a new wave of protests (pictured) in Minneapolis and St Paul, prompting state officials to mobilize National Guard troops
Chauvin made his first in-person appearance (pictured) in court last month after previously appearing via videolink
His address will be shared with local law enforcement, but anyone who is given his address is ordered to keep it confidential.
The former officer must also carry a cellphone and keep it on, charged and in range so that the Department of Corrections can reach him at all times. He must also surrender his passport.
Chauvin had the option of posting bail for $1.25 million without conditions or $1 million with conditions.
A release receipt posted by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday showed Chauvin was freed after posting a $1million non-cash bond, guaranteed by Allegheny Casualty Company.
Court records show Chauvin was released after posting $1million non-cash bond, guaranteed by Allegheny Casualty Company
Pictured (left to right): Former officers Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao in their mugshots. The three other cops have been charged with aiding and abetting
As darkness fell Wednesday evening, hundreds of people took to the streets in south Minneapolis where protests were centered in the days after George Floyd’s death.
They marched several blocks and blocked an intersection for a time, with chants including, ‘No Justice, No Peace – Prosecute the Police.’
Three other fired former officers who also face charges in the case were released on bond earlier.
Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter.
Their trial is set for March.
Source: Daily Mail
