Who is William Schaetzel? Derek Chauvin tried to reverse George Floyd murder conviction by sharing pathologist's theory just before prison attack
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Days before getting stabbed in FCI Tucson, former cop Derek Chauvin reportedly attempted to reverse his federal civil rights conviction in the 2020 George Floyd murder case by sharing theories from Dr William Schaetzel, a forensic pathologist from Kansas.
According to PBS News Hour, Chauvin filed a motion in federal court on November 13, saying he would have never pleaded guilty to the federal charge in 2021 if he had known Dr Schaetzel's theories.
The theories allegedly provided evidence that showed Chauvin did not cause Floyd's death.
Chauvin claimed that Dr Schaetzel told him Floyd allegedly did not die of asphyxia after the former kneeled on his neck for nine-and-a-half minutes outside a convenience store where Floyd tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill but from complications of paraganglioma.
As per the outlet, Chauvin allegedly asked the judge who presided over his trial to throw out his conviction and order a new trial or at least an evidentiary hearing.
What is known about Dr William Schaetzel?
Dr Schaetzel is a forensic pathologist from Topeka, Kansas, who is associated with the Topeka Pathology Group, per his LinkedIn profile.
As per the profile, Dr Schaetzel earned his Master in Science degree from the Colorado State University and served as a resident in pathology at the University of Kansas Medical Centre.
Dr Schaetzel defined himself as "a practicing community pathologist," on his LinkedIn bio.
"I am involved in problem-solving in the clinical laboratory (blood banking, toxicology, microbiology, infection control, chemistry) as well as performing diagnostic surgical pathology and cytology," he noted.
"I have a keen interest in human and animal nutrition as well as nutritional disease-related conditions. I tend to think a little bit different and often see things from a different perspective than others, which is useful in dealing with, and solving difficult problems," Dr Schaetzel mentioned.
"I have found divergent thinking is truly a blessing in formulating novel ideas when working in product innovation. Currently, I am working on several grand ideas which I believe will enhance people's lives," he added in the description.
As per PBS News Hour, Chauvin began corresponding with Dr Schaetzel in February before sharing his theories in court in an attempt to overturn his 2021 conviction.
What did Dr William Schaetzel tell Derek Chauvin about George Floyd's death?
Chauvin, who is serving a 21-year sentence at FCI Tucson in Arizona over Floyd's death, filed a request without a lawyer to reverse his conviction earlier this month.
As part of his filing, Chauvin claimed that Dr Schaetzel told him that he believes Floyd did not die of asphyxia from Chauvin’s actions but from complications of a rare form of tumor called paraganglioma, which can cause a fatal surge of adrenaline.
The pathologist reportedly did not examine Floyd’s body but reviewed his autopsy reports.
"I can’t go to my grave with what I know," Schaetzel told the Associated Press while explaining why he reached out to Chauvin.
"I just want the truth," Dr Schaetzel told the publication. Chauvin further alleged that Schaetzel reached out to his trial attorney, Eric Nelson as well as the judge and prosecution in his state-court murder trial in 2021.
However, the former cop went on to claim that Nelson never told him about Dr Schaetzel or his theories. Chauvin also alleged that Nelson failed to challenge the constitutionality of the federal charge.
He went on to allege in his motion that no jury would have convicted him if they had heard about Dr Schaetzel's evidence.
US Supreme Court rejected Derek Chauvin's appeal in George Floyd's death
US Supreme Court declined to hear Chauvin's appeal related to his conviction in Floyd's murder, Reuters reported.
The justices reportedly turned away Chauvin's bid after he filed an appeal when a Minnesota appellate court upheld his 2021 murder conviction and rejected his request for a new trial.
Chauvin argued that jury bias and certain rulings by the presiding judge deprived him of his right to a fair trial under the US Constitution's Sixth Amendment.
Derek Chauvin was in stable condition after being stabbed inside prison
Around 12:30 pm local time on November 24, Chauvin was stabbed by a fellow inmate inside the Federal Correctional Institute in Tucson, Arizona.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed in a statement that "an incarcerated individual was assaulted" FCI Tucson but did not identify Chauvin at the time.
Officials mentioned that he suffered serious injuries but was provided "life-saving" measures before being transported to a hospital for further treatment.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison told the Star Tribune that he was notified about Chauvin's stabbing incident and informed that the former cop survived the attack and was in stable condition.
"I am sad to hear that Derek Chauvin was the target of violence," Ellison said, adding, "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."