‘A Big Momma’s Boy’: George Floyd’s Brother Recalls Childhood at Chauvin Murder Trial

👤George Floyd grew up obsessed with basketball and stood out even among his siblings for the way he adored his mother, his younger brother Philonise Floyd testified on Monday in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Philonise Floyd, due to be one of the last prosecution witnesses in the trial, was called under a Minnesota doctrine that lets loved ones reminisce to the jury about a crime victim in what is called “spark of life” testimony.

He also was used by prosecutors to undermine a defense advanced by Chauvin’s lawyers that revolves around what 👤George Floyd meant when he told officers he was “hooping” before the arrest. Chauvin has pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter charges for kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes in a deadly arrest last May.

Chauvin’s lawyers have argued that Floyd’s death, which the medical examiner ruled a homicide at the hands of police, was really a drug overdose.

Chauvin, who is white, and other officers were arresting Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, on suspicion of his using a fake $20 bill to buy cigarettes at a grocery store. The arrest prompted protests against racism and police brutality in many cities in the United States and around the world.

Here are some important moments from the 11th day of witness testimony:

PHILONISE FLOYD, 👤George Floyd’S YOUNGER BROTHER

Philonise Floyd, 39, testified how he and his older brother and three other siblings grew up in a housing project for poor families in Houston, playing Nintendo video games and dreaming of one day being as skilled as their basketball heroes.