MINNEAPOLIS, MN - In a recent decision, the Minneapolis City Council has agreed to pay a $150,000 settlement to Donald Williams, a witness who allegedly tried to intervene during officers' encounter with George Floyd in 2020.
This decision comes after Williams, a mixed martial arts fighter, filed a lawsuit against the city last spring, claiming he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the incident.
The council unanimously approved the settlement without discussion. Williams alleged that during the incident, former Officer Derek Chauvin assaulted him while he attempted to prevent Floyd's death.
According to Williams, Chauvin looked directly at him, grabbed a canister of chemical spray, and shook it towards him and other bystanders.
Video evidence from Chauvin's trial showed Williams urging Chauvin to stop and calling him a "bum." Former Officer Tou Thao also intervened by placing a hand on Williams' chest.
Williams testified in court that Chauvin used a "blood choke" on Floyd, restricting his breathing. “Just like in MMA, you can tell when someone is getting tired or getting choked out,” Williams testified. “I could see the man’s breathing becoming tremendously heavier and you could see and hear him struggling to gasp for air."
The lawsuit filed by Williams claimed that he feared for his safety and endured pain, suffering, humiliation, embarrassment, and medical expenses as a result of the officers' actions.
Additionally, Williams called 911 to report the incident as he believed he witnessed a murder.
This decision comes after Williams, a mixed martial arts fighter, filed a lawsuit against the city last spring, claiming he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the incident.
The council unanimously approved the settlement without discussion. Williams alleged that during the incident, former Officer Derek Chauvin assaulted him while he attempted to prevent Floyd's death.
According to Williams, Chauvin looked directly at him, grabbed a canister of chemical spray, and shook it towards him and other bystanders.
Video evidence from Chauvin's trial showed Williams urging Chauvin to stop and calling him a "bum." Former Officer Tou Thao also intervened by placing a hand on Williams' chest.
Williams testified in court that Chauvin used a "blood choke" on Floyd, restricting his breathing. “Just like in MMA, you can tell when someone is getting tired or getting choked out,” Williams testified. “I could see the man’s breathing becoming tremendously heavier and you could see and hear him struggling to gasp for air."
The lawsuit filed by Williams claimed that he feared for his safety and endured pain, suffering, humiliation, embarrassment, and medical expenses as a result of the officers' actions.
Additionally, Williams called 911 to report the incident as he believed he witnessed a murder.
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Comments
2024-05-02T16:17-0400 | Comment by: Kevin
Chauvin was metaphorically lynched. He did his duty and did not cause the death of the drug-addicted Floyd. He died of an overdose of drugs. Anyone who interferes with an arrest needs to be death with harshly.