Oct. 9 (UPI) -- The former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd in May, Derek Chauvin, is allowed to live out of state due to "safety concerns," a judge ordered this week.
Chauvin posted a $1 million bond Wednesday and left prison to await trial, which begins March 8. He was incarcerated at a state prison in Oak Park Heights, Minn., since May 31, less than a week after Floyd's death.
He faces second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges.
Under his original bond conditions, Chauvin wasn't allowed to leave Minnesota, but the state Department of Corrections said they had evidence supporting their concerns about his safety.
Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill said Thursday that Chauvin can establish residence anywhere in Minnesota or a contiguous state -- Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota or South Dakota. The judge also ordered that Chauvin's address be kept confidential except from agencies involved in his case.
The judge ordered Chauvin to surrender his passport and obtain a cellphone to keep on his person at all times.
The Minneapolis Police Department fired and arrested Chauvin after he was captured on video kneeling on Floyd's neck for more than 8 minutes on May 25. Floyd died after repeatedly calling for help, saying he couldn't breathe.
Chauvin's attorneys said officers were following protocol when they arrested and subdued Floyd. He was arrested on allegations he attempted to use a counterfeit $20 at a nearby food store. Police said he struggled during arrest, leading Chauvin to handcuff him face-down and kneel on his neck.
Fellow Minneapolis police officers Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Keung and Tou Thao, who were involved in the arrest, were also fired and charged with aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter.