Photo Courtesy of St. Paul Police Department
The Minnesota Supreme Court has determined that convicted murderer Derek Chauvin is not eligible for a public defender.
According to court documents, Chauvin “is ineligible for public-defender representation in an appeal from his conviction in Hennepin County District Court.” The former Minnesota cop now is responsible for his own legal representation while he appeals his murder convictions. The documents also detailed that the disgraced man filed under pauper status– that status would have allowed him to retain a public defender and defer court costs associated with his ongoing case. Chauvin claimed that he had incurred $142,000 in debt.
Chief Justice Lorie Gildea denied Chauvin’s motion on Wednesday.
In the paperwork that he filed last month requesting a public defender, the man accused of killing George Floyd, wrote, “I do not have a sufficient source of income, besides nominal prison wages, which are being used to pay off fees from the above-captioned case. My only assets are two retirement accounts. If I take funds from said accounts, I will be significantly penalized, and the remained will likely be taken to pay off debts.”
In the filing, Chauvin owes almost $100,000 in tax debt. However, the court determined that’s not sufficient proof to confirm that he can’t pay an attorney. During the Floyd trial, Chauvin’s defense was paid for by the police union. When he was found guilty, the funds stopped.
Even though he was terminated, Chauvin still stands to gain at least $1.5 million from his pension. In Minnesota, it isn’t required to forfeit a pension even though the recipient has been convicted of a crime. If he receives the money, he could be paid $50,000 for 30 years.