Minneapolis Attorney Critiques ‘Soft’ Charges After Brutal Stabbing Case

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A Minneapolis defense attorney is expressing concern over what he calls ‘soft’ charges by prosecutors in a case involving a brutal stabbing. Brian Karalus joined Liz Collin on her podcast to discuss his friend Tony Dehn, who was brutally attacked and suffered life-altering injuries.

Karalus, who represents Dehn, was shocked when Hennepin County prosecutors initially charged the suspect, Camron Wayne Draper, with second-degree assault. He argued that the attack, which involved a knife being used to attempt to slit Dehn’s throat, warranted a more serious charge of attempted murder. ‘This looked to me like an attempted murder, unquestionably,’ Karalus stated.

Dehn was assaulted outside of a bar in Minneapolis’s North Loop after attempting to mediate a dispute. Despite the severity of his injuries, which had him losing significant blood and fearing for his life, Draper was let out on bail set at $50,000 soon after his arrest.

‘What shocked me was the leniency shown by the prosecution,’ Karalus said. ‘As a defense lawyer, if I were representing Draper, I would have pled him guilty because the consequences of an attempted murder charge are much more significant.’ His plea highlighted a systemic issue in how serious crimes are being treated in the city’s legal framework.

Karalus pointed out that this situation reflects broader concerns about crime in Minneapolis, where he has lived for over two decades. ‘They’re letting people out on bail with low bonds, and it feels out of control,’ he remarked.

Following the events of the case, Draper has since been arrested again, facing additional charges including a DWI and a firearms-related offense. ‘We’re seeing an increase in crime rates, and this isn’t an isolated incident,’ Karalus stated.

Alpha News reached out to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for comment regarding the lack of serious charges against Draper but did not receive a response. As discussions around crime and prosecution continue, these legal outcomes raise pressing questions about safety and justice in the community.