Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who was seen kneeling on the neck of George Floyd before his death back in May, has been released from prison after posting $1 million bail.
Fox News reported that a Minnesota Department of Corrections spokesperson has confirmed that Chauvin has been released from Oak Park Heights prison, where he had been held since May 31. This came after the former cop was charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter for his role in Floyd’s death.
A notice of release by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office stated that Chauvin has paid his bond and is required by law to show in court on March 8, 2021, at 9 a.m.
BREAKING: The former Minneapolis officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd has posted bond and has been released from prison. According to court documents, Derek Chauvin posted a $1 million bond. https://t.co/BDaced9XHD
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 7, 2020
Of the four officers arrested for their roles in Floyd’s death, Chauvin is facing the most serious charges. The other three officers – Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao – have been charged with aiding and abetting. They each have been released from prison after posting bail amounts of $750,000. As of this writing, they are set to be tried together in March, but a judge is reviewing a request to try them separately.
While all four of the officers have faced backlash from Americans everywhere for Floyd’s death, Chauvin is arguably the most universally hated given the fact that he’s the one who took a knee on his neck. Immediately after Chauvin’s arrest, his former beauty queen wife Kellie filed for divorce from him.
“The parties have been separated since May 28, 2020,” her filing read. “There has been an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage relationship of the parties within the definition of Minn. Stat. 518.06, and the marriage cannot be saved.”
Kellie then released a statement to the public about Floyd’s death.
“This evening, I spoke with Kellie Chauvin and her family. She is devastated by Mr. Floyd’s death and her utmost sympathy lies with his family, with his loved ones and with everyone who is grieving this tragedy,” her attorney Amanda Mason-Sekula said on her behalf. “While Ms. Chauvin has no children from her current marriage, she respectfully requests that her children, her elder parents, and her extended family be given safety and privacy during this difficult time.”
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