George Floyd’s family to receive $ 27 million in compensation for his death at the hands of Minneapolis police

The family of George Floyd, the African American killed by a police officer on May 25, reached a civil agreement with the city of Minneapolis for receive compensation of $ 27 millionThe city and representatives of the deceased reported on Friday.

“This is the biggest settlement in an African American male wrongful death case and sends a powerful message that black lives are important and police brutality against people of color must end.”family lawyers said in a statement about the deal, which does not finalize criminal proceedings against Constable Derek Chauvin and three other police officers for Floyd’s death.

Chauvin immobilized Floyd by placing his knee against his neck for nine minutes and suffocated him, a filmed incident that shocked the United States and sparked a wave of protests against the racism and police brutality that rocked the country. The protests, under the slogan “Black Lives Matter”, have also been replicated in other parts of the world.

“The horrific death of George Floyd, witnessed by millions of people around the world, sparked a deep desire for justice and change,” he said. Ben Crump, the senior lawyer for the Floyd family.

This agreement is part of a civil lawsuit brought by the family in June 2020 against the city and the four agents involved.

In the criminal process that began this week, Chauvin – who was kicked out of the police – faces three counts: third degree murder, second degree murder and a manslaughter charge.

A second degree murder implies that it was not premeditated but that there was an intention to kill, while a third degree indicates that there was no such intention or that there is had negligence which resulted in the death of the victim.

If convicted of second degree murder, the former police officer could be sentenced to 11 to 15 years in prison, although the maximum is 40 years; While the third degree murder charge can mean 25 years in prison and the second degree murder charge 10 years, although normally only 5 years are served.

Rodney, one of George Floyd’s brothers, said the deal “is a necessary step” for the family to begin a process of closure. “George’s legacy to those who loved him will always be his spirit of optimism that things can turn out for the better and we hope this deal does.”, he said.

With information from AFP

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