Ex-police officer charged with Floyd murder appears in court

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who pressed his knee on George Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes before the African-American man died, appeared in a court in Minneapolis on Monday for the first time since being arrested and criminally charged, reported Xinhua news agency.

During the court hearing, in which Chauvin appeared virtually, the ex-officer, who has been fired and arrested after Floyd's death, was given an unconditional bail of US$1.25 million, or a US$1-million bail with conditions.

Chauvin, 44, who was charged with second-degree murder on top of the third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges, largely remained silent during the 11-minute or so hearing, only answering some identifying questions.

Chauvin's attorney, Eric Nelson, did not contest the bail, nor did he speak of the substance of Chauvin's charges. Chauvin's next appearance was set for June 29.

Three other former police officers involved in Floyd's death have also been fired and jailed, each facing the charge of aiding and abetting murder.

Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds on May 25, as he and the other three cops arrested the 46-year-old unarmed black man after receiving a call from a nearby shop owner reporting the use of a counterfeit 20-dollar note.

Floyd died later on the same day. Two autopsies conducted separately in the following days both found his death a homicide.

-- BERNAMA