MMA Fighter Testifies In George Floyd Murder Trial

Veteran mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Donald Williams witnessed the death of George Floyd back in May 2020 after Floyd was pinned down by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Following an investigation, Chauvin was relieved of duty and charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Chauvin’s trial began Monday in Minnesota.

“I watched the position of where the knee was on the neck, what body movements were going on while the knee was on the neck and what was the condition of George Floyd as he was going through this torture,” Williams testified (courtesy of The Wrap). “I felt the officer on top was shimmying to actually get the final choke in while he was on top.”

Prosecutors argue that Chauvin used a prolonged (and ultimately fatal) blood choke to detain Floyd.

“He just pretty much killed this guy who was not resisting arrest,” Williams said. “I called the police on the police [because] I believed I witnessed a murder.”

Williams, 33, holds a professional MMA record of 5-6, competing for multiple regional promotions including Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA). “DWill 2” has been submitted five times in his career, tapping to rear-naked choke, triangle choke, and guillotine choke.

Chauvin pleaded not guilty.