George Floyd death: Bail set at $1m each for three ex-police officers

While judge sets hearing dates, thousands mourn at memorial services for black Minneapolis man

Three former Minneapolis police officers fired from the force following the killing of George Floyd had their bail set at $1 million each, or at $750,000 with conditions, after they were arrested and charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.

J Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao did not enter pleas during their arraignment hearing on Thursday.

Their next court appearance is set for 29 June.

Derek Chauvin, who was filmed in widely shared footage with his knee buried into the back of Mr Floyd's neck as he cried out that he couldn't breathe, has been charged with second-degree murder by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, in addition to third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges brought against him by the Minneapolis District Attorney's office.

The other three officers appeared in court one day after Attorney General Keith Ellison announced the charges against them.

Mr Lane and and Mr Kueng, who were the first officers to response to the scene on Memorial Day, restrained Mr Floyd, while Mr Thao stood over Mr Chauvin.

Mr Chauvin is currently in custody on a $500,000 bond.

They each face up to 40 years in prison, if convicted.

Minnesota Judge Paul Scoggin has ordered that the former officers could be released on lower bail of $750,000 if they agree not to work in any law enforcement capacity, surrender firearms and void their firearm permits, make no contact with the family of Mr Floyd, and agree to waive extradition if they leave the state.

The hearing took place as thousands gathered to mourn Mr Floyd at a memorial, as global protests against police brutality continue into a second week following his killing

On Monday, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled Mr Floyd's death a homicide caused by "cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression".

Additional charges filed by the state's attorney general followed a civil rights investigation launched by the state's Human Rights Department.

Benjamin Crump, who represents the Floyd family, said Attorney General Ellison told the family that he will upgrade the charges to first-degree murder if evidence supports it.

Asked whether his office would consider plea deals for the four officers on Monday, Mr Ellison said that "it's simply way too early to begin that conversation".

"Winning a conviction will be hard," he said. "History does show that there are clear challenges here and we are going to be working very hard and relying on each other and our investigative partners and the community to support that endeavour."

Mr Ellison said that mass protests and demonstrations are "dramatic and necessary" while "building just institutions is more of a slow grind but equally important".