Derek Chauvin stabbed in prison while serving his sentence
4:47 PM EST, November 25, 2023
Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer, has been badly injured in a prison knife attack. Currently, he is serving a 22-year sentence after being found guilty for his role in the death of African American, George Floyd.
The 47-year-old Chauvin is incarcerated in a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona. Associated Press (AP) reports suggest that this prison has been battling persistently with security issues and staff shortages.
Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 22.5 years in prison. Alongside, he is also serving a concurrent 21-year prison sentence for the violation of George Floyd's civil rights. Initially held in a high-security prison in Minnesota, Chauvin was later moved to the current location.
The news of the attack on Chauvin was revealed to the AP by a source who preferred to remain anonymous. The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed a knife attack on an inmate in the Tucson prison, but refrained from disclosing their identity.
George Floyd's death shocked America
George Floyd's death on May 25, 2020, at the hands of a white police officer, caused significant uproar in the USA. Floyd was a black man, and his death sparked widespread protests, inciting allegations of police brutality and racism.
Derek Chauvin, in an intense incident, pressed his knee onto Floyd's neck for over 9 minutes, leading to Floyd's death. This happened on a Minneapolis city street, in front of a store where Floyd had attempted to use a counterfeit 20-dollar bill.
The incident received widespread attention after one bystander's video footage was released. The video clearly shows Floyd, gasping for air and continuously stating, "I can't breathe!" in a faint voice.
Three other police officers, who were also present at the scene, faced trial but were granted lighter sentences. Chauvin challenged the verdict, claiming his innocence. However, the Supreme Court denied his appeal. Despite this setback, Chauvin claims he plans on filing another appeal, citing the existence of new evidence.
