Minneapolis ex-policeman accused of killing unarmed black man George Floyd has been released from prison after posting $1million bail.
Chauvin, 44, is facing murder and manslaughter charges after video showed him kneeling on Floyd’s neck for about eight minutes during an arrest on May 25, despite him (Floyd) saying, ‘I can’t breathe‘.
A bystander shouted “you’re killing him“, while a witness captured video of Floyd begging to be freed as police pinned him to the street and witnesses screamed “get off him” before he lost consciousness.
Chauvin was released from Oak Heights Prison in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning on a conditional release and is expected to appear in court in March of next year, according to his notice of release filed in court.
Floyd was pinned down by Minneapolis police officers arresting him on suspicion of using a fake $20 note at a corner shop and being “under the influence” in the driver’s seat of a car.
Chauvin was fired following Floyd‘s death and charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter, although he denies all of the allegations against him.
Three other officers have also been charged over Floyd‘s death. Thomas Lane, J Kueng and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting manslaughter.
Floyd’s death was ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, which listed Floyd’s cause of death as a “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression”.
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The county autopsy also stated other “significant” conditions that may have contributed to his death, including hypertensive heart disease, fentanyl intoxication and recent methamphetamine use.
Read Also: Crowds Protest Outside White House Against George Floyd’s Killing
Floyd’s death sparked protests across the globe, with many calling for an end to racism and police brutality.
