In the United States, there’s been a recent formal charging of attempted murder against a prison inmate who, shockingly, stabbed Derek Chauvin. Chauvin, the former police officer convicted in the George Floyd murder case, became the victim of this assault, occurring just last month within the confines of the law library at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson, Arizona.
The accused, John Turscak, a former gang member currently serving a 30-year sentence, stands accused of inflicting 22 stab wounds on Chauvin. Federal prosecutors disclosed on a recent Friday that Turscak openly admitted he would have taken Chauvin’s life if correctional officers hadn’t promptly intervened.
His motivations, as relayed to FBI agents during their investigation, were anchored in a desire to align the assault with the Black Lives Matter movement, which gained prominence following George Floyd’s tragic death, casting a spotlight on issues related to racism and police brutality.
According to Turscak’s statements to investigators, he had contemplated assaulting Chauvin for roughly a month, attributing his decision to Chauvin’s high-profile status as a prisoner. However, he later contradicted himself, denying any intention to cause Chauvin’s demise, as highlighted by the prosecutors handling the case.
The US District Attorney’s office in Tucson has brought forth a range of charges against Turscak, encompassing attempted murder, assault with intent to commit murder, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and assault with a dangerous weapon.
In the aftermath of the attack, the Minnesota Attorney General’s office issued a statement, reassuring the public that Chauvin was expected to survive the incident.
Chauvin, infamous for kneeling on George Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes, had previously been sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison after being found guilty of murder and manslaughter charges in April 2021. In a separate case in June 2022, an additional 21-year sentence was handed down for Chauvin’s violation of Floyd’s civil rights.
A significant development occurred last month when the US Supreme Court declined to hear Chauvin’s appeal regarding his second-degree murder conviction. Chauvin’s legal team had argued that he was denied a fair trial due to pre-trial publicity, coupled with concerns over potential threats to public safety in the event of an acquittal.