KEY POINTS

  • Rookie cop Thomas Lane was only on his first week with the Minneapolis Police Department when the George Floyd incident took place
  • Lane was the cop that arrested and handcuffed Floyd
  • He was also the cop that tried to revive Floyd moments before Floyd was pronounced dead

Thomas Lane, the rookie Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) cop that arrested and handcuffed George Floyd on May 25 -- setting into motion the historic train of events rocking the world today -- has been released from jail after posting a $750,000 bail Wednesday afternoon.

Earl Gray, Lane’s lawyer, said his client accepted bail with conditions. Lane's bail was originally set at $1 million on Monday by Judge Jeannice Reding, the Fourth Judicial District judge for Hennepin County, Minnesota. Reding, however, ruled Lane's bail could be lowered to $750,000 as long as Lane complied with certain court conditions.

Part of the $750,000 raised by Lane's family came from a fundraising website soliciting money for Lane's defense and using PayPal as a conduit. That website, which was launched by Lane's family, has since been taken down.

Gray said he doesn't know how much money the website raised on Lane's behalf. Gray confirmed Lane is now with his wife. He added he plans to file a motion to dismiss the charges against Lane, who is due back in court on June 29.

Lane, 37, was only on the job for a week when the George Floyd incident erupted. He contended he "did everything he could" to save Floyd's life. Lane attempted to resuscitate Floyd in the ambulance moments before he was pronounced dead.

"(Lane was) pounding on this guy trying to revive him," Gray pointed out. "Where is the willful intent?"

Lane is the only one of the four former MPD cops charged with murder that has posted bail thus far. The other former police officers still imprisoned at the Hennepin County Jail are J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao. Derek Chauvin, the officer directly charged with murdering Floyd, is being held at the Ramsey County Jail in St. Paul.

Lane, Kueng and Thao are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in connection with Floyd's death. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. His bail is set at $1.25 million.

According to charges, Lane held down Floyd's legs while Kueng held his back and Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck. Lane and Kueng were in their first week as MPD officers when Floyd was killed.

Demonstrators raise their fists and chant as they protest against police brutality and the death of George Floyd across from the White House in Washington
Demonstrators raise their fists and chant as they protest against police brutality and the death of George Floyd across from the White House in Washington AFP / Olivier DOULIERY

They were called to the scene at the intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood of Minneapolis by an employee of Cup Foods, a grocery store. The employee complained Floyd had paid for his cigarettes with a fake $20 bill.

At 8:08 p.m. on May 25, Lane and Keung crossed the street to Floyd's SUV. Lane drew his pistol and told Floyd to place his hands on the steering wheel, which Floyd did. According to BBC, Lane pulled Floyd out of the SUV and handcuffed him. Kueng sat Floyd on the sidewalk against the wall in front of the restaurant.

Lane and Kueng told Floyd he was under arrest and walked him to their police car across the street. Floyd "stiffened up, fell to the ground, and told the officers he was claustrophobic."

Chauvin and Thao arrived at 8:17. Chauvin, the most experienced officer, assumed command at the scene.

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