Derek Chauvin freed on bond; blames co-defendants for George Floyd’s death

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who allegedly killed George Floyd earlier this summer, was released from jail after posting a $1 million bond.

Chauvin was set free Wednesday from the Oak Park Heights prison in Minnesota after posting a non-cash $1 million bond backed by a place called A-Affordable Bail Bonds. His trial is scheduled to begin in March 2021.

Chauvin was caught on video kneeling on the neck of George Floyd for nearly nine minutes as Floyd laid face-down and handcuffed Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis. Floyd died at the scene.

The other three officers involved, Alexander Keung, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao were released from jail earlier this year and are seeking a change of venue for their upcoming trials. In videos of the incident, Keung and Lane are seen holding Floyd down as he struggled to breath. While Thao held back a gathering crowd.

Of the four, Chauvin faces the most serious charges: second degree murder, 3rd-degree murder, and 2nd-degree manslaughter. If convicted he could face anywhere from 17 to 40 years in prison.

Chauvin, meanwhile, is hoping the blame game will be enough to get him off the hook; he plans to argue, as part of his defense, that his co-defenents Kueng and Lane are to blame for Floyd’s death because they did not attempt to de-escalate the situation

Kueng, Lane, and Thao, are each charged with aiding and abetting for both second-degree murder and manslaughter.