Minneapolis Officer Thomas Lane Involved In George Floyd’s Death Released From Jail On Bail

Thomas Lane, one of the four Minneapolis police officers involved in George Floyd’s death has been released from jail on bail. Lane had originally been held on a $1 million bailwithout conditions, but was released earlier this week at $750,000 on conditions. 

Lane’s lawyer Earl Gray confirmed that Lane was released after posting bail on Wednesday and according to the Hennepin County Jail records, Lane was freed at 5:08 p.m. Lane will be monitored during his release, may not participate in any law enforcement affairs and is not permitted to carry a gun. His next hearing is set for June 29 and Gray told the Star Tribune that Lane plans to file a motion to dismiss all charges against him.

Three of the officers involved in Floyd’s death, including Lane, have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second–degree manslaughter. The fourth officer Derek Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder and has not entered a plea. However, all four of the officers were fired after the death of Floyd. 

Floyd’s death happened in police custody when Chauvin kneeled on his neck. It was captured on film by bystanders and Floyd is heard to repeatedly say “I can’t breath” throughout the video. Lane was on the police force for four days when this occurred. Gray told CNN that Lane was, “doing everything he thought he was supposed to do as a four-day police officer,”

The Hennepin County medical examiner ruled that Floyd’s death was a homicide and the cause was, “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression.”

Floyd’s family conducted their own autopsy which concluded that, Floyd died from “asphyxiation from sustained pressure” when his neck and back were under pressure.

The death of Floyd sparked social outrage as well as a rise in the Black Lives Matter movement. Protests have been occurring across the country as a call for justice as well as social and political change.