(Source: Reuters) Two Black Minneapolis citizens filed federal civil rights lawsuits against Derek Chauvin, the white former cop convicted of killing George Floyd, on Tuesday, alleging that he had treated them unfairly in the past.In their cases, John Pope Jr and Zoya Code claimed racism and civil rights breaches, according to their lawyers. The lawsuits are related to events that occurred in 2017.
Floyd, a Black man suspected of passing a counterfeit note, was slain by Chauvin, who knelt on his neck while three other officers looked on. The tragedy sparked worldwide demonstrations against racial injustice.
Following his conviction on murder charges, Chauvin was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in jail last year. Floyd's civil rights were allegedly infringed, and he pleaded guilty in federal court.Officers were called to Pope's home in 2017 when he was 14 years old for a reported domestic disturbance. According to the lawyers, Chauvin was one of the cops that responded, and he entered Pope's bedroom, where Pope was talking on his phone and lying face down on the floor."Chauvin attacked Pope and struck him many times on the head with a huge flashlight," they stated, adding that he also "pinned Pope to the floor with his knee, the same tactic he used on George Floyd."
Attorneys representing Code said Chauvin used excessive force on her, claiming he slammed her head on the ground and placed his knee on the back of her neck.
Attorneys for Chauvin could not be reached for comment right away.
Both Pope and Code were later cleared of criminal charges. The plaintiffs, who spoke with their lawyers at a press conference on Tuesday, said Chauvin's acts had left them devastated. The city of Minneapolis is also named as a defendant in their cases.
"The events surrounding John Pope and Zoya Code are upsetting. On these two topics, we want to continue negotiating with the Plaintiffs in the hopes of reaching a reasonable settlement "According to the Minneapolis City Attorney's Office.
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