George Floyd

Exclusive: George Floyd's brother Philonise Floyd talks about trial of Derek Chauvin and upcoming verdict

Monday, April 19, 2021

ABC13 Exclusive: Floyd's brother shares thoughts on trial

George Floyd's brother, Philonise, shared the emotions and hardships he and his family have had to endure since the beginning of the trial. He also said through it all, his brother remains with him and gives him strength in spirit. Closing arguments are set to take place soon.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- While the world is watching the trial of Derek Chauvin, one Houston family is hanging on every word and praying for justice.

"To everybody else, this is a case and a cause, but for me, that was my big brother."

ABC13 talked to George Floyd's younger brother ahead of closing arguments that began Monday morning.

LIVE VIDEO: Watch Derek Chauvin trial live coverage

Philonise Floyd and his wife Keeta live in Houston, but they've traveled to Minneapolis every week to be in the courthouse throughout the trial.

In an exclusive interview before leaving town, Philonise told anchor Melanie Lawson that the trial is taking its toll on their family, but he says he's confident that the jury will find Chauvin guilty.

"African Americans, we never get justice for anything," he said. "But I think this one time, I think everybody watching here in the United States, across America, they're all saying the same thing, like, justice for George means freedom for all."

Philonise Floyd, 39, shed tears as he was shown a picture of his late mother and a young George.

Philonise says there is a critical difference between Chauvin's trial for the death of his brother and other trials in which white police officers have not been convicted of killing people of color. And that's the video that runs for an excruciating nearly nine minutes and appears to show Floyd dying under Chauvin's knee.

"The video is the key to everything," Philonise said. "And my biggest thing, what always runs across my mind, is Minnesota. They have to get this right, the jurors, they have to get this right. My brother was tortured to death for nine minutes."

"George has to get justice," he added. "And that's the way everybody would be able to get justice, because in America as a Black man, if you can't get justice for what happened to George, then what can you get justice for in America?"