The city of Minneapolis has reached a $27 million settlement with the family of George Floyd’s just weeks before the trial is scheduled to begin with the former police officer charged with murder in his death.
The settlement was approved by the City Council on Friday and it includes includes a $500,000 contribution from Floyd’s family to the community at a location now widely known as George Floyd Square.
George Floyd’s family had filed a federal lawsuit in July against the city and the four officers involved in the arrest that led to his death. The lawsuit sought compensation and special damages in an amount to be determined by a jury, and bordered on issues on police policies and training.
Last year, former officer Derek Chauvin, was recorded kneeling on Floyd’s neck for about nine minutes on May 25, while a handcuffed Floyd repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe.”
Mr. Floyd’s death led to the #BlackLivesMatter protest across the U.S. over police brutality.
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Mr. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter, as well as third-degree murder. The selection for members that will make up the jury selection is underway ahead of his trial.
Presiding judge, Peter Cahill, on Thursday, granted prosecutors’ request to reinstate a third-degree murder charge.
The charge had been rejected last year on the grounds it was not warranted by the circumstances of Floyd’s death, however, the Minnesota Court of Appeals urged Judge Cahill to reconsider whether to add the third-degree murder charge.
The three other officers involved- Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng- are both charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter. Their trial is expected to be held in August.