Chauvin Appears Before Judge From Prison, Bail Set At $1.25M

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Derek Chauvin wore an orange prison jumpsuit Monday afternoon and appeared via video teleconference from state prison for about nearly 15 minutes when he made his first court appearance since being charged with the murder of George Floyd.

Chauvin is now being held on $1.25 million bail at Oak Park Heights Prison without condition and $1 million bail with conditions. If he were to post bail, Chauvin would need to meet the conditions of not working in law enforcement and cannot possess any weapons or have any contact with Floyd’s family.

During Monday’s hearing, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank asked for the $1.25 million in bail by arguing there has been a “strong reaction” to the case, which has set off nationwide protests and unrest throughout the country. The hearing took place while Floyd’s body was made available for a public viewing in Houston.

Frank argued that bail needed to be set at more than $1 million to prevent Chauvin from fleeing. Chauvin had previously been held on $1 million bail without conditions and $750,000 bail with conditions before Frank asked Circuit Court Judge Jeannice Reding to raise the amount during Monday's hearing.

In the video from the prison conference room, Chauvin was handcuffed and wore a mask over his mouth during the appearance when he answered several conditions from the judge. During the questioning, Chauvin acknowledged that he still has weapons at his home.

His attorney, who left Hennepin County District Courthouse without answering questions, according to reports, did not argue bail during the hearing.

Chauvin, 44, was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after he kept his knee on Floyd’s neck on the Memorial Day incident that took place after Floyd attempted to use a counterfeit $20 bill at a Minneapolis Cup Foods. Chauvin, along with three other former Minneapolis police officers, were fired from the department before they were charged in Floyd’s death.

Chauvin is scheduled to appear next in court on June 29.