Minneapolis approves $150,000 settlement for Donald Williams, witness to George Floyd’s death who testified against Derek Chauvin

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis City Council has agreed to pay a $150,000 settlement to a witness who tried to intervene to prevent the murder of George Floyd and who says he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result.

Donald Williams, a mixed martial arts fighter who testified against former officer Derek Chauvin in his 2021 murder trial, sued the city last spring, alleging that he was assaulted by police while trying to prevent Floyd’s death on September 25. May 2020.

The council unanimously approved the agreement without discussion Thursday. reported the Star Tribune.

SEE ALSO | Man accused of stabbing Derek Chauvin 22 times in prison: Justice Department

The lawsuit alleges that Chauvin looked directly at Williams, grabbed a chemical spray canister and began waving it at him and other bystanders expressing concern for Floyd’s well-being. In video played at Chauvin’s trial, Williams can be heard urging Chauvin to leave Floyd and denouncing the officer as a “bum.” Former officer Tou Thao approached Williams and put his hand on his chest, according to the lawsuit.

Williams told jurors at 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, 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 nine and a half minutes outside a convenience store where Floyd had tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill. . A bystander’s video captured Floyd’s fading screams of “I can’t breathe.” Floyd’s death sparked protests around the world and forced a national reckoning against police brutality and racism.

Chauvin was convicted of state murder charges in Floyd’s death and sentenced to 22 and a half years. He also pleaded guilty to a separate federal charge of violating Floyd’s civil rights. Thao and two other former officers involved are serving shorter sentences.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.