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How much did George Floyd's family settle for?
THE city of Minneapolis agreed to settle a civil lawsuit from George Floyd’s family relating to his death in police custody.
Floyd, who was 46, was pinned to the ground by four officers before Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes on May 25, 2020.
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How much did George Floyd's family settle for?
City officials agreed to pay $27million to settle the civil lawsuit brought by George Floyd's family, it was announced on March 12, 2021.
Family lawyer Ben Crump called it the largest pretrial settlement ever for a civil rights claim, and thanked city leaders for “showing you care about George Floyd.”
“It’s going to be a long journey to justice. This is just one step on the journey to justice," said Crump.
“This makes a statement that George Floyd deserved better than what we witnessed on May 25, 2020, that George Floyd’s life mattered, and that by extension, Black lives matter.”
Said Philonise Floyd: “Even though my brother is not here, he's here with me in my heart. If I could get him back, I would give all this back."
Lawyer L. Chris Stewart, who also worked with the family, said the size of the settlement "changes evaluations and civil rights for a black person when they die.”
“And what happens is that trickles down to decisions in the communities across this country," he said.
"When there is a city council or a mayor deciding, 'Oh, should we get rid of no-knock warrants, should we get rid of chokeholds, do we want to change these policies?’
"They have 27 million reasons now why they should. And that will make decisions happen. That will make accountability happen.”
Floyd died after Chauvin pressed his knee against his neck for about nine minutes.
What is Derek Chauvin accused of?
Chauvin, 45, is charged with second-degree manslaughter, unintentional second-degree murder, and third-degree murder in connection with Floyd's death.
The former police officer's criminal trial started in March of 2021 in Minneapolis.
Footage of Floyd's death was shown at Chauvin's trial on March 29.
Investigators have found that Chauvin's actions were a “substantial causal factor” in Floyd's death.
“Officer Chauvin's restraint of Mr. Floyd in this manner for a prolonged period was a substantial causal factor in Mr. Floyd losing consciousness, constituting substantial bodily harm, and Mr. Floyd’s death as well," states the criminal complaint.
Second-degree murder is when a person commits a felony crime, and as a result, causes death – without intent.
Four officers, including Chauvin, were fired the day after Floyd's death, and he was hit with criminal charges a few days later.
Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison.
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