Derek Chauvin, the police officer responsible for George Floyd's death, has had a US$1 million (NZ$1.5 million) bail set by a judge for his release.
Chauvin appeared via CCTV footage from the Oak Park Heights maximum security prison.
His initial bail was US$500,000 (NZ$764,000) and was doubled without comment from his attorney, Eric Nelson.
The ex-cop has been charged with the second-degree murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25. He knelt on Floyd's neck for nine minutes while he protested "I can't breathe" until Floyd died.
Chauvin was the senior cop to three other police officers who were also involved, and who have since been charged for aiding and abetting second-degree murder.
The death of Floyd has been the ignition for widespread 'Black Lives Matter' rallies across America, protesting for change to systemic racism.
In the days following the incident, the city of Minneapolis has reportedly announced it's planning on disbanding its police force and replace it with a community-based policing alternative.
Chauvin's next appearance is set for June 29.
