Additional Coverage:
- Minneapolis to pay $600,000 to settle with woman who says Derek Chauvin knelt on her neck (nbcnews.com)
Minneapolis Settles Excessive Force Lawsuit Involving Derek Chauvin
The city of Minneapolis has agreed to a $600,000 settlement with Patty Day, a woman who accused former officer Derek Chauvin of using excessive force during a 2020 arrest. The incident occurred just months before Chauvin killed George Floyd.
Day, a former city employee, alleged that Chauvin and another officer violently pulled her from her minivan and threw her to the ground. She claims Chauvin then knelt on her back, similar to the hold used on George Floyd.
The incident stemmed from a January 2020 call where Day, admittedly intoxicated and distressed, became stuck in the snow. A drunk driving charge against her was later dismissed due to lack of probable cause.
The Minneapolis City Council unanimously approved the settlement. Day will receive $175,000, and her attorneys will receive $425,000.
This settlement adds to the over $36 million the city has paid in police misconduct cases involving Chauvin, including the $27 million settlement with the Floyd family.
Day’s attorney stated the settlement holds the officers accountable and highlights the need for police reform. Chauvin is currently serving time in federal prison for the murder of George Floyd and related federal civil rights violations.