Witness in George Floyd Trial Wins $150k Settlement for PTSD

Donald Williams

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The Minneapolis City Council recently approved a settlement of $150,000 with Donald Williams, a witness to the tragic murder of George Floyd. Williams, aged 35, had filed a lawsuit against the city in spring, citing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from the events surrounding Floyd’s arrest.

Assaulted

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He claimed to have been assaulted by law enforcement officers at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue when he intervened during Floyd’s arrest outside the Cup Foods store on May 25, 2020.

Passionately

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Williams was captured in a video by bystander Darnella Frazier, where he can be seen passionately urging Officer Derek Chauvin to cease his actions on Floyd, who was already unconscious, and to check his pulse.

Testimony

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During his testimony before a jury, Williams disclosed that he repeatedly referred to Chauvin as “a bum” in a desperate bid to prompt the officer to stop.

Courage

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Donald Williams displayed remarkable courage in advocating for justice during the incident involving George Floyd. When Officer Chauvin took notice of Williams’ persistent vocal support for Floyd, he resorted to grabbing a canister of chemical spray and directing it towards Williams and other bystanders.

Outspokenness

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Williams’ outspokenness led Officer Tou Thao to approach him and place a hand on his chest. As a result of these actions, which ultimately led to Chauvin’s conviction, Williams has expressed feelings of fear for his safety, as well as enduring pain, suffering, humiliation, embarrassment, and incurring medical expenses.

Approved

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The settlement of $150,000 was unanimously approved by the Council without discussion, and as of now, Williams’ lawyer, Jeff Storms, has not provided immediate comment. Storms, known for securing significant settlements for Floyd’s family and other victims of fatal police incidents, has been instrumental in advocating for justice in such cases.

Heightened scrutiny

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This settlement adds to a series of costly resolutions amid heightened scrutiny as Minneapolis navigates discussions with the Justice Department concerning discriminatory policing practices. The city has already paid close to $50 million in claims related to police brutality following the tragic death of George Floyd.

Chauvin’s murder trial

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Williams, known for his involvement in mixed martial arts, served as a pivotal witness during Chauvin’s murder trial in 2021.

Blood choke

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He detailed Chauvin’s use of a “blood choke” on Floyd, a technique that hinders blood circulation. “I called the police on the police,” he testified. When asked why, he replied, “Because I believe I witnessed a murder.”

20-year prison term

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Chauvin is currently serving a 20-year prison term for both violating Floyd’s civil rights and committing murder. The other officers involved, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng, and Thomas Lane, are serving similar sentences ranging from 2 ½ to nearly 5 years for their roles in violating Floyd’s civil rights and aiding and abetting manslaughter.

Thomas Lane

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Recently, Thomas Lane, aged 41, completed his federal sentence. However, he will remain at the low-security federal facility in Littleton, Colorado, until his state sentence concludes on August 20.

Trauma

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Following the trial, Williams revealed that he encountered significant difficulties in coping with the trauma resulting from witnessing one of the most prominent instances of American police brutality in recent history.

Always remembering

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“I look to my left, I see George Floyd,” he said in 2021. “I look to my right, I see George Floyd. I look somewhere else and it’s like I’m always remembering.”

Legal issues

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Donald Williams’ legal and emotional journey has been tumultuous since then. He has encountered numerous legal issues, often stemming from sudden outbursts of anger leading to violent actions. In one incident last May, he was involved in a disturbance in Olmsted County where he reportedly hit three individuals.

Vandalized property

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Five months later, a similar situation occurred in Hennepin County where he caused a scene and vandalized property. Allegations include punching through a school door in frustration and expressing violent intentions towards others due to being kept outside while waiting for his child.

Violating

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A concerning pattern emerged in 2023 when he was convicted of violating a domestic abuse order. Prior to this, he faced serious charges for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend outside the Minnesota State Fair and threatening the responding officers, although these charges were later dropped.

Floyd’s murder

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The approval of the settlement for Donald Williams underscores the profound impact of George Floyd’s murder on his life. At 35 years old, Williams not only endured physical assault but also grappled with lasting psychological trauma, leading to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Courageous actions

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His courageous actions to intervene during Floyd’s arrest reflect his strong moral character, despite facing resistance and repercussions from law enforcement.

Unanimous approval

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The unanimous approval of the settlement by the Minneapolis City Council signifies the city’s acknowledgment of its responsibility for the harm inflicted on its residents by law enforcement officers.

Trauma

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Despite the settlement, Williams continues to grapple with the trauma he experienced. His encounters with the legal system, such as facing charges of assault, disorderly conduct, and property damage, indicate that he is still deeply affected by the events.

Compensation

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While the settlement provides some form of compensation for Williams’ suffering, it also sheds light on the larger issue of police brutality and the urgent need for substantial reforms.

Police violence

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Attorney Jeff Storms’ success in securing significant financial settlements for victims of police violence, including Floyd’s family, underscores the prevalence of such incidents and underscores the critical necessity for systemic reform.