One of the former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd was released from jail on July 4 after posting bail of $ 750,000. He is now the third of four officers involved in Floyd’s death to be released while awaiting trial.
Tou Thao, 34, posted bail on Saturday morning, according to Hennepin County Jail records. Two of the other former officers, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, They were released last month with a $ 750,000 bonus.
All three officers face charges for aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter, as well as aiding and abetting second-degree killings.
The only officer who remains behind bars is Derek Chauvin who was caught on camera kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes during an arrest on May 25, causing Floyd to pass out and then die. Chauvin is charged with Second Degree Involuntary Murder, Third Degree Murder and Second Degree Involuntary Murder. He’s under arrest with a $ 1 million bonus.
In the video, Thao is seen standing and holding pedestrians away while Chauvin keeps his knee on Floyd’s neck, while Floyd pleads for his life and says “I can’t breathe.” All four officers were fired before being charged in Floyd’s death.
All four officers appeared in a Hennepin County court last week. Thao’s attorney said he would file a motion to move the trial, and representatives of the four officers said television cameras should be allowed in the courtroom for the trial.
Chauvin and Thao will appear in court on September 11. The trial is scheduled for March 2021.
The video of Floyd’s death sparked a worldwide protest movement calling for police reform.
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