Donald Williams, one of the bystanders who witnessed George Floyd’s murder at the hand of ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging assault and emotional distress from the high-profile incident.
The Associated Press reported that Williams filed the complaint on Tuesday in Hennepin County District Court. He stated Chauvin reportedly threatened him and other bystanders at the scene with a can of mace, shaking it as he kneeled on Floyd’s neck on May 25, 2020.
In the suit, Williams said he was concerned for Floyd’s safety after Chauvin remained on his neck for some time. He then alleged Chauvin and another former officer, Tou Thao, taunted Floyd, Williams and other witnesses who expressed their concerns, and Thao put his hand on Williams’ chest.
Williams deemed the officers’ behaviors as threats and feared for his and other onlookers’ safety. According to the complaint, Williams accused the officers of assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and one count of negligent infliction of emotional distress. According to The Associated Press, he requests $50,000 for each count.
The complaint also states Williams endured “emotional distress, pain, suffering, humiliation, embarrassment and medical expenses” due to the officers’ actions.
As Blavity reported, Chauvin was found guilty in April 2021 of third-degree murder, second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death.
In July 2022, a judge sentenced him to 20 years in federal prison for violating Floyd’s civil rights. He then pleaded guilty to a separate charge and took a plea agreement that required him to complete a 20- to 25-year sentence concurrently with his state conviction.
Thao was convicted for his role in Floyd’s death and sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison after being found guilty of violating Floyd’s civil rights and refusing to provide aid to him, per Blavity.