Floyd case ex-officer released on $1m bond

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota－The former Minneapolis police officer charged with murdering the African American George Floyd posted bail on Wednesday, with his release from jail prompting Minnesota's governor to activate the National Guard to help keep the peace in the event of protests.

According to court documents, Derek Chauvin posted a $1 million bond and was released from the state's facility in Oak Park Heights, where he had been detained. Hennepin County jail records show he was released shortly before 11:30 am.

Floyd, who was in handcuffs, died on May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against Floyd's neck for several minutes as Floyd said he couldn't breathe. Floyd's death was captured in widely seen bystander videos that set off protests around the world. Chauvin and three other officers were fired.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter; Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter.

Upon news of Chauvin's release, Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard to help local law enforcement. Walz said the Guard was mobilizing 100 soldiers and providing equipment and facilities "out of an abundance of caution" in light of public safety concerns. Walz said 100 state troopers and 75 Department of Natural Resources conservation officers were also mobilized to help local authorities.

As darkness fell on Wednesday evening, hundreds of people took to the streets in south Minneapolis where protests were centered in the days after Floyd's death. They marched several blocks and blocked an intersection for a time, with chants including "No Justice, No Peace－Prosecute the Police".

The Floyd family's attorneys, Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, released a statement saying Chauvin's release "is a painful reminder" that the family is far from getting justice.

"The system of due process worked for Chauvin and afforded him his freedom while he awaits trial," the attorneys wrote.

"In contrast, George Floyd was denied due process, when his life was ended over a $20 bill. There was no charge, no arrest, no hearing, no bail. Just execution."

No charges in teen case

In a separate development, a black Wisconsin police officer who fatally shot a black teenager outside a suburban Milwaukee mall in February won't be charged because he had reasonable belief that deadly force was necessary, a prosecutor said on Wednesday.

Wauwatosa Officer Joseph Mensah shot 17-year-old Alvin Cole outside Mayfair Mall on Feb 2 after police responded to a reported disturbance at the shopping center.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, in a 14-page letter laying out his rationale, said evidence showed Cole fled from police carrying a stolen 9mm handgun. He cited squad car audio evidence, along with testimony from Mensah and two fellow officers, that he said showed Cole had fired a shot while fleeing and refused commands to drop the gun.

"He did not surrender the weapon and was fired upon by Officer Mensah causing his death," Chisholm wrote. He concluded: "There is sufficient evidence that Officer Mensah had an actual subjective belief that deadly force was necessary and that belief was objectively reasonable."

Agencies via Xinhua