By: Alyssa Wilson

On the second day of the trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin, Donald Williams II, a mixed martial artist who witnessed the murder of George Floyd, took the stand to testify. 

Donald Williams II was the second witness to testify that he called the police on Chauvin and the other officers involved in Floyd’s murder. 

RELATED: Derek Chauvin trial LIVE UPDATES

As Chauvin’s legal team continued to try and assert blame for Floyd’s death on bystanders, Williams stood firm against them on the stand. 

This gained him acclaim as a “superstar witness” for the prosecution. 

He’s not just a star witness, he’s a SUPERSTAR witness. D. attorney Eric Nelson is trying to drive a strange point home that bystanders like Donald Williams had something to do with George Floyd’s death?They’re playing a semantics game. Donald is winning. Wait — he just won. pic.twitter.com/AuTABUuomR

— Candace Kelley, J.D., M.S. (@candacekelley) March 30, 2021

Williams testified that Chauvin’s actions were a ”blood choke” and he explained to the jury what it was like to watch Floyd gasp for air and beg for his life. 

On Tuesday, after ten hours of deliberation, the jury in the case found Chauvin guilty on all counts. 

RELATED: Derek Chauvin verdict: Jury finds the former officer guilty on all counts 

Williams joined Start Your Day with Sharon Reed and Mike Hill to speak his truth. 

During the moments he watched Chauvin keep his knee on Floyd’s neck, Williams said it was tough trying to speak to Chauvin. 

“It was really tough, you know, cause I was trying not to put myself in danger.” 

Williams also said he was concerned about the safety of the other bystanders trying to reason with the police. 

Citing his ability to maintain his self-control on the stand, he said he knew the defense was trying to make him look angry by using his raw emotions against him, so he continued to smile. 

“It was comfortable for me to show him who I really am, which is not an angry Black person.”

In terms of the mental and emotional toll witnessing Floyd’s murder has taken on him, he said his family is helping him process everything. 

“I’m dealing with it. I’m dealing with it, man,” Williams said. “I watched a man like me get murdered.” 

If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma triggered by police violence, resources are available for you here.