Donald Williams, the man who witnessed George Floyd‘s murder and tried stopping the deadly arrest, will get a $150,000 payout from the City of Minneapolis for mental health issues he suffered from the encounter. According to the Star Tribune, officials unanimously approved the settlement on Thursday (April 25) after Williams sued the city last spring.
Williams, a mixed martial arts fighter, testified former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin used a “blood choke” on Floyd during the 2021 murder trial. The witness claims he was assaulted by cops while trying to prevent Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020. Williams alleges Chauvin looked directly at him and shook a canister of chemical spray at him and other bystanders expressing concern for Floyd, the lawsuit states.
In a video played during Chauvin’s trial, Williams can be heard telling Chauvin to get off Floyd and calling the officer a “bum.” Tou Thao, another Minneapolis police officer convicted for aiding in Floyd’s murder, placed his hand on Williams’ chest, according to the filing. The martial artist claims he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following the incident and endured pain, humiliation, and medical expenses.
Chauvin is serving over 22 years in prison on state charges stemming from Floyd’s killing. He pleaded guilty to a federal charge of violating the 46-year-old Black man’s civil rights and was sentenced to 252 months behind bars with credit for time served. The other officers involved were also convicted and are serving prison time.
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