(KNSI) — Today, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners will look at attorney Mary Moriarty’s request to hire an outside law firm to handle the murder case against a Minnesota State Trooper.
The lead prosecutor asked to be removed from the Ryan Londregan case last week, and now the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office will ask to retain a legal team out of Washington, D.C., to assist the prosecution in the “uniquely resource intensive case.” According to a statement from Moritarty, hiring Steptoe LLP would come out of the HCAO’s existing budget, already appropriated for 2024.
Moriarty would still hold ultimate authority over the proceedings, but she said the four former federal prosecutors would be solely focused on the case, leaving the rest of the office to continue “the critical work of prosecuting the high volume of other serious cases that are central to safety in our community.”
The meeting will get underway this afternoon. Meanwhile, on Monday, Londregan was in court for another hearing, where the judge denied a motion to dismiss the charges. His defense attorneys have also moved to dismiss charges based on prosecutorial misconduct and lack of probable cause.
Moriarty is accused of ignoring a use of force expert hired by her office who said he reviewed the evidence and believes Londregan acted lawfully when he shot and killed Ricky Cobb II. Critics call the case a “selective and politically motivated prosecution of law enforcement.”
Hundreds of people, both in support of and against Londregan, filled the government center. As his defense attorney attempted to give a news conference after the hearing, protesters shouted him down.
According to the investigation, around 1:50 a.m. on July 31st, troopers pulled Cobb over for a moving violation when they learned he was wanted on probable cause for a felony order-for-protection violation in Ramsey County, and they requested he be taken into custody.
Dashboard and body-worn camera footage show troopers approaching Cobb II’s car and repeatedly requesting him to step out. Two troopers then opened the door and attempted to physically remove him after he became uncooperative. At that time, the video appears to show Cobb II putting the car in gear and driving away while the officers were partially inside, dragging them along the freeway. Londregan fired his handgun, hitting Cobb II. Cobb drove away, knocking the two troopers to the ground.
The officers returned to their vehicles and followed Cobb II about a quarter-mile down the interstate. When they caught up to him, Cobb II’s vehicle was slowing to a stop against the highway divider. The troopers are seen on video immediately providing first aid, but he died at the scene.
Londregan is charged with second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault, and second-degree manslaughter in the case.
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