Derek Chauvin can leave Minnesota while he awaits trial due to ‘safety concerns’

Chauvin will be allowed to leave Minnesota and live in a bordering state as he awaits a murder trial in the death of George Floyd

A judge has given former Derek Chauvin permission to leave Minnesota due to “safety concerns” as he awaits a murder trial in the death of George Floyd.

A Hennepin County judge ruled on Friday that Department of Corrections provided evidence to support claims that his “safety concerns” needed to be addressed, NBC News reports. As such, the former Minneapolis police officer will be allowed to leave the state and live in a bordering state such as North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

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Derek Chauvin George Floyd thegrio.com
Former MPD officer Derek Chauvin, left, and George Floyd, right, reportedly worked together at the same nightclub. (Photo: Twitter screengrab/the offices of Ben Crump Law)

Law enforcement must be informed of the new address for Chauvin, 44. He also has to answer all calls from the Minnesota Dept. of Corrections and keep a cell phone on him at all times in addition to abiding by all the supervisions of his release.

As theGrio reported, Chauvin was given a conditional pretrial release earlier in the week. Chauvin was released just after 11 a.m. on Wednesday from the Hennepin County. Under Minnesota law, Chauvin only had to pay 10% of his required bail which was up to up to $100,000.

Under the conditions of his revised release from custody, Chauvin must “must establish residency somewhere in the State of Minnesota or a contiguous state as soon as possible.”

George Floyd's Brother Attends Unveiling Of Memorial Portrait In Brooklyn
George Floyd was killed this past spring while in the custody of police. (Credit: Getty Images)

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Chauvin had been in custody since May after he was charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in George Floyd’s May 25 death. Bystander video which quick went viral saw Chauvin placing a knee on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes despite the pleas of Floyd.

“Please, please, please, I can’t breathe,” Floyd begged in one video. “My stomach hurts. My neck hurts. Please, please. I can’t breathe.”

Thomas Lane, J. Kueng, and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter. All four officers were fired.

Floyd’s death led to nationwide and global protests over the role of policing in society and race relations.

Chauvin’s next court appearance is slated for March 2021 per the notice of release which was filed in court.

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