Bail raised to $1.25 million for officer charged with murdering George Floyd

The murder of George Floyd in the United States has triggered protests not only in the country, but across the world. Protesters are demanding justice for Floyd while calling for an end to systemic racism which targets black people across the globe.

Derek Chauvin, the 44-year-old police officer who knelt on Floyd was charged with second and third-degree murder, with his previous bail set at $1 million. However, on Tuesday, the bail was raised by $250,000 to $1.25 million.

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The officer from Minneapolis appeared in front of the court via video call and was seen in an orange jumpsuit with handcuffs.

In the video that went viral after Floyd’s death, the officer was seen kneeling on the man for almost nine minutes, even when he was repeatedly telling the officer about his inability to breathe. It was only when the ambulance arrived that the officer retracted his knee from the neck. An hour later, Floyd was dead.

Visitors hold their lit phones as they pay their respects to George Floyd during a candlelight vigil at Jack Yates High School in Houston, Texas on June 8, 2020. | AFP

Matthew Frank, the Minnesota Assistant Attorney General has advised against giving bail to Chauvin, and fears that the former officer might flee at the slightest opportunity, given the uproar caused by his actions.

The earliest amount for bail was set at $750,000, after which it was raised to $1 million with conditions. The current bail order has no conditions.

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The conditions envisaged in the order include no future job in law enforcement, and no contact with the victim’s family.

As the outrage grew over the death of George Floyd, Minneapolis city council on Monday decided to disband the police force, however, US President backed the police department asserting, "There won't be defunding, there won't be dismantling of our police and there is not going to be any disbanding of our police."

There were reports of arson, looting, and violence across major US cities over the last week. However, the protests have now simmered.

(With inputs from AFP and Reuters)