Inmate accused of trying to kill MSOP employee

A sex offender at the Minnesota Sex Offender Program in Moose Lake is accused of trying to murder an employee at the facility.

George Mack Jr., 42, was charged with premeditated first-degree attempted murder as well as fourth-degree assault in Carlton County Sixth District Court Thursday, Jan. 31. Bail was set at $500,000. Mack was moved to the Carlton County Jail from MSOP, which offers services and treatment for people who are committed by the court as a sexual psychopathic personality or a sexually dangerous person.

According to the criminal complaint, here's how the incident unfolded:

MSOP clinician Zachary Campbell was leading a large community meeting in an open area of the facility on Unit 1C on Tuesday, Jan. 29. The offenders were sitting in a large circle, facing one another.

Mack was not a part of the meeting but, according to the criminal complaint, video footage of the incident shows him walking along the back side of the circle, then lunging at Campbell, who was sitting in a chair.

The video footage allegedly shows Mack grab the victim's head while reaching around his throat with the other hand and making at least two cutting/slashing motions across the front of his throat. Campbell was able to avoid serious injury by lowering his chin, jumping out of his chair and running away from Mack, who then allegedly threw his weapon - a razor blade affixed to a toothbrush with dental floss and a rubber band - onto the floor and pursued the victim.

According to the criminal complaint, another staff member intercepted Mack, who punched the staff member several times in the chest and head. More staff members came to help subdue and secure Mack.

Campbell ended up with a 2-inch-long gash on his throat and a 1-inch-long gash on the left of his throat, and the staff member who came to his aid had "demonstrable" injuries from being punched.

While the original jail intake list said the charge against Mack was "first-degree assault," Carlton County Attorney Lauri Ketola said after reviewing the police report - including a video and alleged confession from Mack - she determined that first-degree murder was the appropriate charge.

"This was not a simple assault," she said. "He took a razer blade to a guy's throat."

Ketola said because MSOP is a treatment facility for people who have been civilly committed there, sex offenders, or "clients," as they're called by the state, have more privileges than prisoners would. In this case, it included possession of a razor for shaving.

According to the criminal complaint, in a subsequent interview Mack allegedly stated that he had "interacted" with Campbell the day before and didn't like his demeanor or that the MSOP counselor had said he was going to "change everything on Unit 1C." He admitted making the weapon and said he grabbed the Campbell's head and slashed at his throat, later running after him, yelling "I'm the boss."

Campbell confirmed in a separate interview that he could see someone approaching him and identified Mack. He said that while Mack was slicing at his throat, Mack commented: "I'm in charge here" and "you're my bitch," before he was able to run away.

Tony Lourey, who served as District 11 State Senator for 12 years before being appointed Department of Human Services Commissioner in January, released a statement after the attack.

"This assault had the potential to cause extraordinary harm. I am relieved that the injuries to staff, while serious, were not more severe," said Lourey, who lives in Kerrick, not far from the Moose Lake facility. "I am very proud of those who stepped in to protect their coworker and subdue the attacker. The safety of our staff is critical to the safety of our facility and is always a top priority."

Lourey said the department had been in regular contact with the staff involved in this incident and their families. Ketola said the victim was going to be physically OK, but noted it was a traumatic event.

"We are making counselors available to any staff who need them," he said. "We are working with police and will conduct an internal review of the incident."

According to his criminal records, Mack pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal sexual assault in Fillmore County in 1996 when he lived in Stillwater, Minn. He was sentenced to 42 months confinement. In 1998 he was convicted of third- and fourth-degree sexual assault in Fillmore County and sentenced to 76 months confinement.

Ketola alleged that Mack says he doesn't like "treatment" and has assaulted people every time he goes to a treatment facility, so he can be sent back to prison. He already has sentences that could keep him in prison until 2037, she said, but parts of the sentences were stayed so he could be sent to treatment.

Mack's criminal record shows that he has been convicted of two fourth- and one fifth-degree assault charges while at the Moose Lake facility as well as third-degree assault in Stillwater.

Mack's next hearing is set for Feb. 20.