Minnesota officer charged with murder in Australian's death

By Todd Melby

 

FILE PHOTO: Justine Damond, also known as Justine Ruszczyk, from Sydney, is seen in this 2015 photo released by Stephen Govel Photography in New York, U.S., on July 17, 2017. Courtesy Stephen Govel/Stephen Govel Photography/Handout/File Photo via REUTERS

 

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - The Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot an unarmed Australian woman last July was arrested on Tuesday on charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, prosecutors said.

 

Mohamed Noor, 32, turned himself in and was arrested for the death of Justine Damond, 40, who had called 911 about a possible sexual assault near her house, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said at a news conference announcing the charges.

 

"There is no evidence that Officer Noor encountered a threat, appreciated a threat, investigated a threat or confirmed a threat that justified his decision to use deadly force," Freeman said. "Instead, Officer Noor recklessly and intentionally fired his handgun."

 

After Noor shot her, Damond put her hands on the gunshot wound on the left side of her abdomen and said, "I'm dying" or "I'm dead," Freeman said.

 

The shooting drew condemnation in Minnesota and Australia, where Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called it "shocking" and "inexplicable."

 

Then-Minneapolis police chief Jamee Harteau resigned after city officials said procedures had been violated and Damond "didn't have to die."

 

The third-degree murder charge accused Noor of committing an "eminently dangerous act" and showing a "depraved mind," and the second-degree manslaughter charge cited "culpable negligence creating unreasonable risk," the records showed.

 

The penalty for third-degree murder is up to 25 years in prison and second-degree manslaughter carries a penalty of up to 10 years, according to a state website.

 

Freeman, Minneapolis' top prosecutor, had delayed his decision in December, saying his office needed more time and that he lacked sufficient evidence to charge Noor.

 

Noor has been on paid leave and refused to be interviewed by Minnesota state investigators. Noor's attorney, Tom Plunkett, said his client should not be charged.

 

"The loss of Justine Ruszczyk Damond is a tragedy and Officer Noor again personally extends his continued condolences to her family for their loss," Plunkett said in a statement.

 

"The facts will show that Officer Noor acted as he has been trained and consistent with established departmental policy," Plunkett added. "Officer Noor should not have been charged with any crime."

 

'INIQUITOUS ACT'

 

Damond's fiance, Don Damond, and her father, John Ruszczyk, issued a joint statement in which they praised the decision to charge Noor and hoped it resulted in a conviction, calling it "one step toward justice for this iniquitous act."

 

"No charges can bring our Justine back. However, justice demands accountability for those responsible for recklessly killing the fellow citizens they are sworn to protect," they said in the statement.

 

Damond, who was living in Minneapolis and engaged to be married, approached the police after their arrival, authorities have said. She had owned a meditation and life-coaching company.

 

Neither Noor, who came to the United States from Somalia as a child, nor Matthew Harrity, another officer in the patrol car, had their body cameras activated, police have said.

 

Harrity was startled by a loud sound near the patrol car shortly before Noor fired from the passenger seat of the patrol car through Harrity's window, Freeman said.

 

Harrity, who pulled out his handgun during the incident but did not fire it, said both officers "got spooked" when Damond appeared "out of nowhere," Freeman said.

 

Noor is scheduled to make an initial court appearance on Wednesday in Hennepin County District Court in Minneapolis. Prosecutors are asking that Noor's bail be set at $500,000, Freeman said.

 

(Reporting by Todd Melby in Minneapolis; Writing by Ben Klayman; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Matthew Lewis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-03-21

Good, it's about time....

One wonders what took so long to charge this guy? 

Racial profiling? 

A Somalian immigrant turned policeman. Isn't their idea of justice a bit different than the yanks?

2 hours ago, Boon Mee said:

One wonders what took so long to charge this guy? 

Racial profiling? 

Better to be safe than sorry where race/religion could be exploited were the investigation not transparent and thorough. I imagine there was also a lot of pressure from the Aus government, so they really had to get things right before deciding to charge or not.

I remember reading this story already before, does anone have a link to Noor's side of the story?

45 minutes ago, manarak said:

I remember reading this story already before, does anone have a link to Noor's side of the story?

" Noor has been on paid leave and refused to be interviewed by Minnesota state investigators. "

 

There to be read in the op.

Edited March 21, 20188 yr by nahkit

This is Thai news?

23 minutes ago, keeniau96 said:

This is Thai news?

This is THE WORLD NEWS SECTION.

 

A troll post has been reported and removed.  

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Harrity was startled by a loud sound near the patrol car shortly before Noor fired from the passenger seat of the patrol car through Harrity's window, Freeman said.

What sort of training allows this?  Discharges his weapon across his partner through a window into a someone he can't even identify? How did this guy even get hired?

finally some US officer goes to jail for reckless killing, just a question if the officer was white and blonde and blue eyes, would  he been charged ? 

1 minute ago, Jerry787 said:

finally some US officer goes to jail for reckless killing, just a question if the officer was white and blonde and blue eyes, would  he been charged ? 

Read the article again. He has been charged. No trial yet. No determination about going to jail. 

1 hour ago, zydeco said:

What sort of training allows this?  Discharges his weapon across his partner through a window into a someone he can't even identify? How did this guy even get hired?

 

IIRC he was fast tracked through the police academy as the Mayor/police chief were keen to use his Somali Muslim background as a success story and example to the local Somali and Muslim communities. I believe their had been some other issues around his behavior.

 

He wasn't following police procedure, nor was his partner as they had not activated their body cameras. 

 

 

Edited March 21, 20188 yr by Baerboxer

6 hours ago, Emster23 said:

Good, it's about time....

Yes, they hoped it would go away, wrong wrong wrong, full marks to the Australian Government for pursuing this case. 

If he is found guilty. I hope the death penalty is applicable in that state.!!

How many cops have you seen go to jail ?       It will be called "Accidental"  and he will walk free .    USA  not so different from Thailand .     Cops just are not found guilty .

I hope that you are wrong, no doubt it will be a hard case to prove because he is a cop and an import too.!!

Even during the GFC thousands of job vacancies  went begging in the USA for cops and prison guards. Obviously most Americans consider these to be the lowest of low jobs. Is it any wonder  the USA now has thousands of gun totting   marginally educated cops running around shooting people day after day.

City officials have become so desperate they now employ skinnies from Somalia. I bet he was hailed as the great leap forward when he was a rookie.

Now they have to try  and get this scumbag off  a murder rap.....lack of evidence?  thats a good one.! Should work ??

US cops are more dangerous than  the RTP.

Edited March 24, 20188 yr by lanista

This is one big joke but unfurturnational someone got got shot and killed. Cop or not bring in the death penalty.!!!