The city of Minneapolis has reached a tentative settlement with one of the most vocal witnesses to George Floyd’s murder, court documents show.
Donald Williams II, who watched helplessly as Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for 9 ½ minutes on May 25, 2020, had sued in Hennepin County District Court, naming as defendants Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, the city of Minneapolis and another now-former officer, Tou Thao, who kept Williams and other bystanders at bay as they expressed concern for Floyd.
A spokesperson for the city said Monday it is not commenting. Attorneys for Williams did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
According to the court documents filed last week, the City Attorney’s Office intends to present the proposed settlement to the City Council on April 25. If the council approves, Mayor Jacob Frey has seven days to approve or veto it.
Williams was a key witness at Chauvin’s state trial and sparred with Chauvin’s attorney, Eric Nelson, who attempted to portray bystanders, including an off-duty firefighter, as an angry mob that diverted the officers’ attention.
Williams was recorded on Thao’s body camera shouting at the officers to intervene.
