The city of Minneapolis has reached an agreement to disburse $600,000 to resolve a lawsuit brought forth by a woman who accused former Officer Derek Chauvin of excessive force during an incident in January 2020. This came just months before Chauvin’s infamous actions that resulted in the death of George Floyd.

Patty Day, who previously worked for the Public Works Department, filed the lawsuit in May, alleging wrongful arrest and mistreatment. She admitted that on January 17, 2020, she struggled with alcohol and emotional distress due to her impending divorce and other personal issues when she became trapped in the snow for a protracted period.

Officers Derek Chauvin and Ellen Jensen responded to her situation. According to the lawsuit, Day claimed that the officers violently pulled her from her minivan and slammed her onto the ground, leading to several injuries.

The complaint detailed that Chauvin allegedly engaged in behavior that would become notorious, pushing his knee into Day’s back while she was already subdued and handcuffed, an act similar to his later actions against George Floyd. A subsequent charge for driving under the influence was dismissed after a judge ruled the officers lacked probable cause for the arrest and excluded blood alcohol level evidence.

The Minneapolis City Council unanimously ratified the settlement of $600,000, with a breakdown of the funds allocating $175,000 to Day and $425,000 designated for her legal team.

To date, the city has incurred over $36 million in expenses to settle various police misconduct claims associated with Chauvin, which includes a significant $27 million payout to the family of George Floyd.

Day’s attorney, Katie Bennett, expressed her gratitude for the settlement, highlighting the importance of holding officers accountable for their actions. She noted the ongoing need for justice and reform within policing.

Derek Chauvin, who is serving time in a federal prison in Texas, has been convicted in state court for the murder of George Floyd, as well as receiving a federal conviction for violating Floyd’s civil rights. The incident has triggered a widespread movement addressing racial injustice across the country.

It is important to note that the headline of the initial report has been amended to clarify that Day alleges Chauvin pressed his knee into her back, not her neck.