MINNEAPOLIS– The Minneapolis City Council has agreed to pay $150,000 in compensation to an eyewitness who tried to intervene to prevent the killing of George Floyd and who says he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Donald Williams, a mixed martial arts fighter who testified against former officer Derek Chauvin at his 2021 murder trial, sued the city last spring, alleging he was assaulted by police while that he was trying to prevent Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020.
The council unanimously approved the settlement without discussion Thursday, the Star Tribune reported.
The lawsuit alleged that Chauvin looked directly at Williams, grabbed a canister of chemical spray and began shaking it at him and other bystanders expressing concern for Floyd’s well-being. In the video played during Chauvin’s trial, Williams can be heard urging Chauvin to leave Floyd and denouncing the officer as a “bum.” Former officer Tou Thao walked toward Williams and placed a hand on his chest, according to the lawsuit.
Williams told the jury in Chauvin’s trial that the officer performed what MMA fighters call a “blood choke” on Floyd, restricting his circulation.
As a result of the officers’ actions, Williams alleged in his lawsuit that he feared for his safety and endured pain, suffering, humiliation, embarrassment and medical expenses.
Floyd, who was Black, died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin, who is white, knelt on his neck for 9 1/2 minutes outside a convenience store where Floyd attempted to pass a counterfeit $20 bill. Bystander video captured Floyd’s muffled cries of “I can’t breathe.” Floyd’s death sparked protests around the world and forced a national reckoning over police brutality and racism.
Chauvin was convicted of murder by the state in Floyd’s death and sentenced to 22 1/2 years. He also pleaded guilty to a separate federal charge of violating Floyd’s civil rights. Thao and two other former police officers involved are serving shorter sentences.
ABC News
