Minneapolis agreed to a $150,000 settlement. dollars for a man who witnessed the murder of George Floyd

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minneapolis City Council has agreed to pay $150,000 to an eyewitness who tried to intervene to prevent George Floyd’s murder 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 attacked by police while trying to prevent Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020.

On Thursday, the council unanimously approved the settlement without discussion, – the Star Tribune reported.

The lawsuit alleged that Chauvin looked directly at Williams, grabbed a canister of chemical spray and commenced shaking it at him and other bystanders, expressing concern for Floyd’s well-being. In a video played during Chauvin’s trial, Williams might be heard telling Chauvin to get off Floyd and denouncing the officer as a “bum.” According to the lawsuit, former officer Tou Thao approached Williams and placed his hand on his chest.

Williams told the jury in Chauvin’s trial that the officer performed what MMA fighters call a “blood choke” on Floyd, restricting his circulation.

Williams alleged in his lawsuit that as a result of the officers’ actions, 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 food market where Floyd tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill. A passerby’s video captured Floyd’s faint cries of “I can’t breathe.” Floyd’s death sparked protests around the world and compelled the country to reckon with police brutality and racism.

Chauvin was convicted of state murder in Floyd’s death and sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison. He also pleaded guilty to a separate federal charge of violating Floyd’s civil rights. Thao and two other former officers involved in the case are serving shorter sentences.

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