George Floyd's brother, Philonise, testifies

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Jurors repeatedly heard George Floyd’s last words and saw footage of him dying on a Minneapolis street. But on Monday, they got another photo of him: family photos taken throughout his life, told through memories of his younger brother, Philonise.

A baby nestled on its mother’s chest. A teenager bent over a textbook. A basketball player with the South Florida Community College basketball team. A father holding his daughter.

Philonise Floyd, 39, took the witness stand on Monday afternoon in the murder trial of former Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin, telling jurors stories about growing up with her “big brother” as the prosecutors were showing the old photos.

The younger brother choked on seeing the picture of George – nicknamed “Perry” after his father – and his mother. “I miss both of them,” he said.

Philonise Floyd said he got married on May 24. His brother passed away on May 25, 2020. And his mother passed away on May 30, 2018. “It’s like a bittersweet month because I’m supposed to be happy when that month comes,” he says. , stopping to take off his glasses and wipe his eyes with a tissue.

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He testified as a “spark of life” witness to give jurors a better idea of who George was. A 1985 Minnesota Supreme Court ruling allows prosecutors to humanize deceased subjects. “The victim was not only bones and tendons covered in flesh, but was imbued with the spark of life,” the court said.

Philonise Floyd said her brother “was such a chef to us in the house”. He was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and the family moved to Houston when they were young. The brothers have two older sisters. George Floyd was born after them, then Philonise and then Rodney.

“He always made sure we had our clothes on for school. He made sure we all went to school on time, ”he said. George couldn’t cook – he “couldn’t boil water” – but he made “the best banana mayonnaise sandwiches,” Philonise said.

Philonise Floyd, married with two children living in Houston, said she grew up playing Nintendo games with George. He remembers George marking his height on the walls, saying he “always wanted to be taller.” He said George was loved in the community.

“People went to church just because he was there,” said Philonise Floyd. “He just knew how to make people feel better. “

The younger brother spoke of George Floyd’s love for the sport. He said George excelled in high school basketball and football and got a scholarship to go to South Florida Community College before transferring to Texas A&M University, where he played football.

Philonise said George taught her how to play basketball. “He was saying dude, let’s go hoop,” Philonise said.

George also taught her how to play football, Philonise said. “I always thought my brother couldn’t throw, but he never intended to throw the ball at me. He was always throwing her at an angle where I had to chase her or jump for her or dive for her. “

Philonise said George had a “one of a kind” relationship with their mother, nicknamed “Miss Cissy”.

“I cry a lot, but George with my mom would always be right on her,” Philonise said. “It was so unique how they found each other. He would just lie on top of her in a fetal position as if he was still in the womb. “

Philonise said George was heartbroken over the death of their mother in 2018. At the funeral, George was “just kissing her. He didn’t want to leave the coffin, ”said Philonise.

The funeral was the last time he saw George before his death, Philonise said. But the two spoke on the phone frequently in the morning when Philonise worked as a truck driver.

“He was just listening,” Philonise said.

Contribution: Kevin McCoy et Tami Abdollah

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George Floyd’s brother, Philonise, testifies

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