Hennepin County Judge Allows Subpoena of Use of Force Expert in Trooper Shooting Case

(KNSI) — A Hennepin County judge says an independent use of force expert who said it appeared a Minnesota State Patrol trooper acted within the confines of his training the night he shot and killed a driver who allegedly tried to flee a traffic stop can be subpoenaed in the case.

Judge Tamara Garcia agreed with Trooper Ryan Londregan’s attorneys, who argued that Jeffrey Noble’s reports, notes and other documents are relevant to the defense and that he should be allowed to take the stand.

Noble was called by Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty to look over the findings of fact in the case, and court records show he found Londregan and the other trooper at the scene that night were in real danger after 33-year-old Ricky Cobb II of St. Cloud allegedly tried to drive away, dragging Londregan and a fellow trooper along Interstate 94 in Minneapolis. Londregan fired, hitting Cobb in the side. Despite lifesaving measures taken at the scene, Cobb died.

Court documents show Noble said he wanted to take another look at the case before making any ultimate determination whether deadly use of force was justified, but Moriarty didn’t wait and charged Londregan. Noble was dismissed from any further involvement two days later.

Noble has not contested the subpoena.

Londregan’s attorneys wanted to depose Noble before his next court date on April 29th, but Judge Garcia denied that motion, citing his availability to testify at trial and the fact that depositions are only taken when that may not be possible.

Noble has testified at other use of force trials, including the cases against Derek Chauvin, Jeronimo Yanez and most recently, a St. Paul police officer accused of shooting a knife wielding man in February 2023. That officer was cleared of any wrongdoing.

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