Inmate Who Stabbed Disgraced Former Cop Derek Chauvin 22 Times Set for Trial

Photo of John Turscak, the inmate and former FBI informant who allegedly stabbed Derek Chauvin, from WillMarRadio.com.

SUBSCRIBE to get more balanced self-help guidance with finer details. This article is 100% human-written. And remember, if you see an error, that’s what makes us human.

Disgraced former Minneapolis, Minnesota cop Derek Chauvin was stabbed 22 times, while serving his current 22 1/2 year federal prison sentence. The man who allegedly did it has been charged and will stand trial.

About Chauvin’s Arrest

On May 25, 2020, police were called to a local business in Minneapolis, where a clerk had accused George Floyd of passing a fake $20 bill to buy a pack of cigarettes. During the arrest, then-Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for about 9 minutes. While this was happening, Floyd warned Chauvin he couldn’t breathe.

In the end, Chauvin killed Floyd. And in early 2021, Chauvin was convicted of several charges, including second-degree murder. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Chauvin was eventually stabbed by another inmate in the federal prison.

The Derek Chauvin Stabbing

During the afternoon of November 24, 2023, at about 12:30 pm, Chauvin was in the prison’s law library. It was at this time that he was stabbed 22 times, allegedly by another inmate and former FBI informant named John Turscak. Turscak, nicknamed “Stranger,” is also accused of having gang ties.

According to news reports, the 52-year-old Turscak has been charged with attempted murder, assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

Turscak, who does not appear to be Black, allegedly told the FBI he had attacked Chauvin because he was a high-profile inmate and in a symbolic way for Black Lives Matter.

Turscak’s Trial

It had been thought Turscak may represent himself at trial, but he seems to have rethought the idea. Previously, he had been lead counsel, while his attorney had been co-counsel. Apparent disagreements had led to his co-counsel to ask the courts to withdraw him from the case. However, the co-counsel will now be lead, and Turscak will be just the defendant.

Turscak’s trial had been set for February 18, 2025, but the trial did not get underway due to procedural delays. Now that Turscak has a lawyer and is not representing himself, reporters have been checking for a new trial date. However, it is unclear when John Turscak’s trial will start.

Read our original story about the disgraced former cop Derek Chauvin here.

The Takeway

Disgraced former cop Derek Chauvin was allegedly stabbed 22 times in a federal prison law library by John Tursack, a former FBI informant and accused gang member. Turscak supposedly claimed he attacked Chauvin because he was a high-profile inmate and as a symbolic gesture for the Black Lives Matter movement. Turscak does not appear to be Black. He will be represented by public defenders at trial, but it is not clear when that trial will begin.

FOLLOW the author Jermaine Reed, MFA on X @Jermaine Reed, MFA for his controversial but real hot takes.