Derek Chauvin Reportedly Stabbed in Federal Prison

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd in 2020, was stabbed at a federal prison in Tucson, Ariz. The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed the incident but did not specify Mr. Chauvin’s name. Chauvin was transported to a local hospital after the attack, and his current condition is unknown.

Chauvin was serving a sentence of just over two decades in federal prison after being convicted of state murder charges and a federal charge of violating Floyd’s constitutional rights. His conviction led to the largest protests of a generation against police violence and racism. Chauvin had sought to appeal his conviction but his efforts were rejected by the Supreme Court.

The article also highlights the issue of a widespread shortage of correction officers in the Bureau of Prisons. About 21 percent of the 20,446 positions for corrections officers funded by Congress were unfilled in September 2022. Other high-profile attacks on federal prisoners in recent years are also mentioned.

Derek Chauvin Stabbed in Arizona Federal Prison

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted for George Floyd’s murder, was stabbed in a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona on Friday. The information comes from two individuals familiar with the situation.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed the incident at the Tucson facility at 12:30 p.m., though Chauvin was not identified by name. No other inmates or staff were injured, and the situation was rapidly controlled.

Emergency medical technicians initiated lifesaving measures and transported Chauvin to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment. He survived the attack, according to one source.

Chauvin, 47, is serving his conviction sentence for state murder charges and a federal charge of violating George Floyd’s constitutional rights.

Chauvin’s Crime and Its Aftermath

Chauvin, a white officer, knelt on black security guard Floyd for over nine minutes in May 2020. Floyd’s murder, captured on video, sparked the biggest protests of a generation against police violence and racism.

Chauvin and three other officers present at Floyd’s murder scene were also convicted of violating Floyd’s rights.

Despite attempts to appeal his conviction, the Supreme Court rejected Chauvin’s appeals recently.

Chauvin’s Incarceration and the Situation of Federal Prisons

Chauvin’s plea deal allowed him to serve his sentence in a federal prison, considered safer than state prisons. Previously, he had been in solitary confinement in Minnesota for safety concerns.

Other high-profile federal prisoners have also been attacked in recent years, like former gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar and mobster James Bulger.

The first to report Chauvin’s stabbing was the Associated Press.

These incidents highlight the Bureau of Prisons’ struggle with a significant shortage of correctional officers, with over 20% unfilled positions in September 2022, according to a Justice Department report.

Recalling Floyd’s Murder

Chauvin and three other officers arrested Floyd for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill. Chauvin pinned Floyd to the pavement, where Floyd repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe.

Despite bystanders asking the officers to stop, Floyd died. Medical examination confirmed his death resulted from police restraint.

Chauvin’s Trial and Conviction

Floyd’s death led to Chauvin’s trial in April 2021, where he was convicted on all counts. A paramedic testified at trial that Floyd appeared dead when he arrived on the scene.

Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in state prison, and given an additional 21-year federal sentence for violating Floyd’s rights under the color of law.

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