George Floyd's Brother Testifies in Court, Believes Chauvin's Actions were 'Personal and Premeditated'
Philonise Floyd, brother to 46-year-old African American George Floyd, has made an appearance to Congress on Wednesday where he claims his sibling's death was "personal and premeditated."
According to Yahoo News, Philonise appeared to agree that tension between Derek Chauvin -- the defendant -- and his brother may have led to the killing. "For him to do something like that, it had to be premeditated - and he wanted to do that," he said.
Working Together
The statement comes after news broke that Floyd and Chauvin worked in security at a nightclub at the same time. David Pinney, a co-worker, claimed the two men had argued after the former police officer had become "extremely aggressive" to some patrons, as reported by HNGN.
On June 6, Pinney appeared in a 50-minute interview with CBS News where he asserted the two men knew each other. During the interview, Pinney said he kept a close relationship with George, who was responsible for planning the nightclub's security position.
Pinney, who was employed as a security adviser, worked with Floyd for half a year between late 2015 and early 2016. He remembered George as someone who was good at talking with people and could hold peace in the club.
He also said Floyd didn't regularly interact with Chauvin who often showed aggression to the victim. "George had me intervene and - interface with him instead of himself, just to be - just to get away from the conflict and keep it professional," Pinney said.
Maya Santamaria, the owner of the club, said she remembered Chauvin had treated black patrons unfairly. She further claims the ex-cop may have been afraid and intimidated by people of color.
Investigators are now looking into the relationship between Floyd and Chauvin.
On Police Brutality
During the hearing, Philonese also made a moving plea to Congress to enact changes to the country's law enforcement policies as means to end police brutality and systematic racism following the protests that swept across the nation.
In a report by the New York Times, Philonese recounted the agony he felt while watching footage of his elder brother gasping and dying while pinned under the knee of the former Minneapolis police officer for nearly ten minutes in a gut-wrenching testimony.
"I am asking you, is that what a black man's life is worth? Twenty dollars?" He asked Congress.
He also urged lawmakers to improve police accountability and honor George Floyd's memory. In his plea, Philonese asked Congress to enact policies that would teach law enforcement officers that deadly force should only be used sparingly and only when life is at risk.
The younger Floyd described Geroge as a caring and compassionate individual who sacrificed for his family. He remembered his brother as a gentle giant who always helped others. He closed his statement by asking the House Judiciary Committee to take steps to stop the waves of police violence and deaths involving the black community.