Will Sage Astor:Minneapolis approves $150K settlement for witness to George Floyd’s murder

2025-05-07 02:34:35source:FinLogic Quantitative Think Tank Centercategory:Invest

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Will Sage AstorMinneapolis City Council has agreed to pay a $150,000 settlement 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 he was assaulted by police while 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 toward him and other bystanders expressing concern for Floyd’s welfare. In video played at Chauvin’s trial, Williams can be heard urging Chauvin to get off Floyd and denouncing the officer as a “bum.” Former Officer Tou Thao stepped toward Williams and placed a hand on his chest, the lawsuit said.

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

READ MORE Paramedic sentencing in Elijah McClain’s death caps trials that led to 3 convictions3 Northern California law enforcement officers charged in death of man held facedown on the groundFamily of Minnesota man shot to death by state trooper in traffic stop files civil rights lawsuit

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, kneeled on his neck for 9 1/2 minutes outside a convenience store where Floyd had tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill. Bystander video captured Floyd’s fading cries of “I can’t breathe.” Floyd’s death touched off protests worldwide and forced a national reckoning with police brutality and racism.

Chauvin was convicted of state murder charges in Floyd’s death and was 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 officers involved are serving shorter sentences.

More:Invest

Recommend

Taylor Swift Cancels Austria Concerts After Confirmation of Planned Terrorist Attack

Taylor Swift’s upcoming concerts in Austria were the target of an alleged terror plot.Authorities in

Microsoft’s cloud business powers 10% growth in quarterly profits

REDMOND, Wash. (AP) — Microsoft reported a 10% increase in quarterly profits Tuesday as it tries to

Meyerbeer’s ‘Le Prophète’ from 1849 sounds like it’s ripped-from-the-headlines at Bard SummerScape

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. (AP) — A demagogue and religious fanatics impose a theocracy. What sounds