TUCSON, Arizona — The attorney who represented former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in his appeal is frustrated by the lack of communication and information he's received since Chauvin was stabbed Friday by a fellow inmate at the federal prison in Tucson, Arizona.
Bill Mohrman says his office still has not received any communication from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and said Chauvin's family was only officially notified Sunday, two days after the attack.
"I find it troubling," Mohrman said.
Chauvin has been at the Tucson facility since he was sentenced in the summer of 2022 for violating George Floyd's civil rights. The sentence overlaps his term for his 2nd-degree murder conviction in state court for Floyd's murder.
The Bureau of Prisons said employees performed life-saving measures after the assault until an ambulance could take Chauvin to the hospital.
"Someone needs to be charged with a crime for doing that to him. He's there to serve his sentence that was issued by both the state and federal courts here. He should not be subject to this kind of harm and extra-judicial punishment," Mohrman said.
Mohrman said that when he spoke to his client a week ago, conditions at the prison seemed satisfactory.
"Last I spoke to Derek, he certainly felt safe there. He was in the general population. He had a job. He was working. Had a good bunkmate. Things were fine for him," Mohrman said.
Chauvin's appeals have been denied and fully exhausted. His release date from federal prison is set for May of 2038. Morhman says Chauvin should be able to serve his time safely.
"Regardless of what anyone thinks of Derek, he has parents. They obviously care for him," Mohrman said.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison was briefed on the attack Friday. In a statement, Ellison said, "I am sad to hear that Derek Chauvin was the target of violence. He was duly convicted of his crimes and, like any incarcerated individual, he should be able to serve his sentence without fear of retaliation or violence."
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