The second of the four Minneapolis police officers charged in the killing of 46-year-old George Floyd has reportedly been released from jail after posting the $750,000 bail.
Per the Minneapolis Star Tribune, J. Alexander Kueng was released from the Hennepin County Jail shortly before 7:30 PM on Friday, after successfully meeting his bail.
Kueng, 26, was on his third shift with the Minneapolis Police Department when he attended the arrest of George Floyd on May 25.
The first former officer to be granted bail was 37-year-old Thomas Lane, who was on his fourth shift with Minneapolis police when he - along with Kueng - assisted senior officer Derek Chauvin in the arrest of Floyd.
Chauvin was recorded by the public and by police bodycams holding his knee on Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes. Floyd was pronounced dead shortly after. Kueng and Lane were also recorded restraining the lower half of Floyd's body.
But on June 9, Lane - who was also arrested and charged with abetting murder, as well as aiding and abetting manslaughter - successfully posted cash bail thanks to members of the public who responded to an appeal decrying how high the bond was set, the Star Tribune reports.
The publication notes that the crowdfunding site was removed once Lane had been bailed out.
Prior to being removed, The Sun states that a message on the site read:
"[Lane's bail] shows a total disregard for equal justice under the law.
"The bail being set this high is clearly punishment for being a Police Officer on the scene and not a reasonable bail for someone who did everything he could to save Mr. Floyd's life on May 25, 2020."
It added: "Thomas Lane and his family appreciate your support and prayers during this time. If you wish to give a gift, click the DONATE BUTTON."
Lane's attorney, Earl Gray, confirmed to the paper that it had been a legitimate fundraiser. However, Gray did not mention how much of the money came from donations or who set it up in the first place.
Lane is now with his wife in an undisclosed location due to concerns for his safety, Gray confirmed.
The attorney told the Star Tribune: "Now we can watch what happens next from outside. We will bring a motion to dismiss and hopefully it will be granted."
Earlier this month, it was revealed that Lane and Kueng were placing full blame on 19-year police veteran Derek Chauvin for Floyd's death.
Gray told the court: "[Lane and Kueng are] required to call him 'Sir'. He has 20 years' experience. What is my client supposed to do but to follow what the training officer said? Is that aiding and abetting a crime?"
Lane, Kueng, and Chauvin were also accompanied by training officer Tou Thao, who has cooperated with investigators prior to Chauvin's arrest, his lawyer says.
Thao has also been charged with abetting murder, as well as aiding and abetting manslaughter.
Chauvin is currently facing the most serious charges of the four men: second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Lane is due back in court on June 29.
If convicted as charged, all four defendants face up to 40 years in prison.
This news comes as unrest continues to unfold across the US, as protests - some peaceful, some violent - are calling out the systemic injustices carried out against black people, not least seen by the recent deaths of Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.
As well as a call for justice, these ongoing protests are also demanding an end to police brutality and the racism that is so deeply entrenched in America and the western world.
The message is simple: Black lives matter.
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