Inmate attacks women at metro detention center

Two women from the public defenders office survived a brutal beating Thursday morning at the Bernalillo County Metro Detention Center.

Investigators say somehow the women were locked in with an inmate who attacked them.

One of the women is a paralegal, and the other is a client service agent.

Investigators say 180 pound Derek Kirven was locked alone with the two women when he attacked.

Investigators will not release the video of the beating, but they say it is extremely violent.

"They appear to go unconscious following the first couple of strikes. He stands over them and begins to continue striking the two women," said Sgt. Mark Kmatz of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department.

Investigators say it took guards about a minute to get the doors unlocked and get inside to restrain Kirven.

The two women were taken to Presbyterian Hospital where they were treated and released.

Kirven was in jail for two misdemeanor warrants.

He is now facing two additional counts of aggravated battery