One of the four erstwhile Minneapolis police officers charged over the killing of George Floyd has been released from jail after posting bail.
Floyd, a black man, was arrested by Minneapolis police on Monday, May 25, for reportedly using a counterfeit $20 note in a store. While being detained, ex-cop Derek Chauvin - a 19-year veteran of the force - knelt on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds.
37-year-old Thomas Lane is one of the three officers charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the death of Floyd. The other two officers, Tou Thao and J Alexander Keung, currently remain in jail.
Lane is believed to have held down Floyd's legs, while Keung held him down on his back, and Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck.
Lane, who had been held in lieu of $750,000 cash bail, was released from the Hennepin County jail just after 4pm on Wednesday, June 10, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
Lane's lawyer, Earl Gray, was quoted as saying that his client accepted bail with conditions.
A fundraising campaign, which was started on the former police officer's behalf, and detailed that the bail amount was "unfairly high, has since been taken down.
Gray confirmed that the website was legitimate, but claimed that he did not know how much money it had managed to raise on Lane's behalf.
"Lane and his family members appreciate your support and prayers during this time," the page reportedly read.
Lane is believed to be with his wife, though his whereabouts have not been released out of concern for his safety.
"Now we can watch what happens next from outside," Lane said, according to the Star Tribune. "We will bring a motion to dismiss and hopefully it will be granted."
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