While Minneapolis Officer Mohamed Noor's murder trial is delayed until April 2019, nearly two years after he shot and killed a white woman, Justine Damond, let me remind you what happened with the "white hispanic" Officer, Jeronimo Yanez, the officer who fatally shot a black man in 2016.
The Democrat leadership in Minnesota and their left-wing media cronies have purposefully buried and delayed reporting on Mohamed Noor so it won't shed a negative light on Democrats during mid-term elections. Yet President Obama, and the Democrat leadership in Minnesota, led by Governor Dayton, Keith Ellison and Amy Klobuchar, purposefully fanned the flames of the Yanez narrative before the 2016 election, to help Democrats, and Hillary Clinton, win.
The St. Anthony police officer, Jeronimo Yanez, whom the media IMMEDIATELY described as a White Hispanic, fatally shot a black man, Philando Castile, during a traffic stop on July 5, 2016. On July 7th, Governor Dayton called a press conference where he said that this wouldn't have happened if Castile were white and that Minnesota was racist. Keith Ellison said this was another example of how black lives don't matter in Minnesota. President Obama called the shooting "troubling." Then 5 police officers were slaughtered in Dallas, and the media fueled the racist division. On July 9th, protesters shut down 494 in Minneapolis. The Lynx joined the protest. Jesse Jackson's attorney represented Castile's girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds. The Castile family hired TV judge Glenda Hatchet. A week after his death, Castile’s casket was carried on horse-drawn carriage to the Cathedral of St. Paul. Friends, family and supporters walked along in the procession. Protesters continued for months and the media covered it all.
On November 16, 2016 Yanez was charged with second-degree manslaughter and two felony counts of dangerous discharge of a firearm by Ramsey County Attorney John Choi within FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE SHOOTING. Choi did not even bring the case to a grand jury. The media called for Yanez's head immediately. The Twin Cities was blanketed with hate filled and hysterical 24/7 news coverage vilifying Yanez for another six months. On June 16, 2017, after days of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY on all counts. It was too late. THE MEDIA ALREADY DESTROYED THIS MAN'S LIFE.
Yet, it's been 18 months since Mohamed Noor shot Damond through his police car door and we are still awaiting his murder trial, now delayed another 7 months until April 2019. The media have totally buried the story about Noor and Damond. Why? What's the difference in this case? You know as well as I do what the difference is. ISLAMIC PRIVILEGE. The Democrats love to accuse us of WHITE PRIVILEGE all the time. Real privilege belongs to those you are not allowed to speak against. Minnesota, it's time to WAKE UP.
Here's a recap of history on this case:
UPDATED 3/2019: A Hennepin County judge has ordered prosecutors NOT to reveal Officer Mohamed Noor's previous psych reports at his trial for the murder of Justine Damond. Here are the details in his file that will be suppressed:
1) Noor was flagged by two psychiatrists during the pre-hiring evaluation in early 2015 after he exhibited an inability to handle the stress of regular police work and unwillingness to deal with people. Mayor Betsy Hodges fast-tracked his hiring anyway - and even held a "welcome" dinner in his honor.
2) Noor was more likely than other police candidates to become impatient with others over minor infractions, have trouble getting along with others, to be more demanding and have a limited social support network.
3) Noor "reported disliking people and being around them."
4) Roughly two months before the shooting, Noor put a gun to the head of a motorist pulled over for a minor traffic stop. Noor stopped his squad car on 24th Street west of Nicollet Avenue and got out "with his gun pulled and pointed downward," a court document read, citing squad car video. "When the defendant approached the driver's side of the stopped car, the first thing he did was point his gun at the driver's head."
5) In another instance, Noor told a 911 caller that he would follow up on a report of a possible burglar, but never did.
6) Another training officer noted that Noor, at times, didn't want to take calls, instead driving in circles when he could have assigned himself to them. The calls were for simple matters, such as a road hazard or a suspicious vehicle where the caller was unsure of whether the car was occupied.
7) Leading up to the shooting, Noor had gone from his off-duty job of working seven hours of security at a Wells Fargo branch to his police shift, which went from 4:15 p.m. to 2:15 a.m. the following morning.
2) Noor was more likely than other police candidates to become impatient with others over minor infractions, have trouble getting along with others, to be more demanding and have a limited social support network.
3) Noor "reported disliking people and being around them."
4) Roughly two months before the shooting, Noor put a gun to the head of a motorist pulled over for a minor traffic stop. Noor stopped his squad car on 24th Street west of Nicollet Avenue and got out "with his gun pulled and pointed downward," a court document read, citing squad car video. "When the defendant approached the driver's side of the stopped car, the first thing he did was point his gun at the driver's head."
5) In another instance, Noor told a 911 caller that he would follow up on a report of a possible burglar, but never did.
6) Another training officer noted that Noor, at times, didn't want to take calls, instead driving in circles when he could have assigned himself to them. The calls were for simple matters, such as a road hazard or a suspicious vehicle where the caller was unsure of whether the car was occupied.
7) Leading up to the shooting, Noor had gone from his off-duty job of working seven hours of security at a Wells Fargo branch to his police shift, which went from 4:15 p.m. to 2:15 a.m. the following morning.
UPDATED 3/1/2019: Former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor formally pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of second-degree intentional murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter in the 2017 shooting death of Justine Damond.
Prosecutors will NOT be able to offer evidence of Mohamed Noor's prior "bad acts" as a MPD officer including pulling a gun at a routine traffic stop. Also, prosecutors will NOT be able to introduce his psych evaluation to join the force. Noor's silence and decision not to speak with investigators in this case can NOT be used against him by prosecutors. Rulings that appear to hurt state's case at the outset.
In addition, a Hennepin County court judge has ruled that cameras will not be allowed in the courtroom during the upcoming trial.
UPDATED 9/5: Judge denies defense request to seal Mohamed Noor's psych records.
UPDATED 7/24: The family of Justine Damond is suing Mohamed Noor, his partner, the former Minneapolis police department leadership and the City of Minneapolis. A 45-page, four-count civil lawsuit has been filed in Minneapolis Federal Court seeking $50 million in damages for the family of Justine Ruszczyk Damond. Justine Damond was the 40-year-old Australian woman who was killed by Mohammed Noor, a Somali Minneapolis officer. after she called 911 to report a possible assault.
In the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, Damond's family alleges her civil rights were violated when she was shot July 15, 2017 by Officer Mohamed Noor, who they said was inexperienced and unfit for duty.
Damond’s family also accused the police department’s leadership at the time and Noor’s partner, Officer Matthew Harrity, of “conspiracy to cover up the true facts surrounding the killing of Justine.”
The others named in the lawsuit include Janee Harteau, police chief at the time of the shooting; Police Chief Medaria Arrandondo, assistant chief when Damond was shot; and the city of Minneapolis. It claims the department leaders lacked proper command over the officers, and allowed lax adherence to department policies. According to the suit, “the MPD’s continued failure to discipline officers causes MPD officers to act with impunity." The suit also alleges that Noor and Harrity conspired to conceal evidence by deliberately not activating body cameras, Noor’s refusal to speak to investigators and Harrity’s altering of his initial recollection of facts. Up to 40 officers are accused of being uncooperative with prosecutors.
Noor’s attorneys have said he will plead not guilty at the criminal trial and will argue he used “reasonable force” that night.
UPDATED 4/25: Officer Mohamed Noor intends to plead not guilty to charges of 2nd degree manslaughter and 3rd degree murder in the shooting death of Justine Damond. Arguing he used reasonable force in self defense.
UPDATED 3/20: Mohamed Noor finally charged, with 3rd degree murder and 2nd degree manslaughter, in Justine Damond's shooting death. 9 months later.
UPDATED 3/2018: More than 30 police officers have been subpoenaed as part of a grand jury investigation into the fatal police shooting of Justine Damond by Mohammed Noor in Minneapolis. Most of the 30 officers subpoenaed to testify are Noor’s trainers and academy educators.
UPDATED 3/2018: More than 30 police officers have been subpoenaed as part of a grand jury investigation into the fatal police shooting of Justine Damond by Mohammed Noor in Minneapolis. Most of the 30 officers subpoenaed to testify are Noor’s trainers and academy educators.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman convened the grand jury as he weighs whether to charge Noor, who has refused to speak with investigators. Noor’s partner told investigators that Noor fired his weapon after hearing a loud noise right before Damond approached their police SUV.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman is convening a grand jury to gather evidence in the 2017 shooting of Justine Damond, but said he still will decide whether Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor will face charges in her death.
Matthew Harrity, Noor's partner the night Damond was killed, was served a subpoena Wednesday to testify before a grand jury, said his attorney Fred Bruno.
Freeman will continue the office's two-year-old policy where he makes the decision on whether or not to bring charges in officer-involved shootings. Because grand jury proceedings are secret, we cannot comment on grand jury subpoenas or any testimony that occurs before a grand jury," Laszewski said.
Bob Bennett, an attorney for Damond's family, said they support Freeman's move, saying witnesses involved in the case have been uncooperative and "untruthful."
"I and the family are happy that the Hennepin County Attorney is using every means at their disposal to get people to cooperate in this investigation and suffer the penalties of perjury if they lie to the grand jury. I question whether [witnesses] have been totally forthcoming or told the truth in whole."
Freeman's decision to use a grand jury reverses several pronouncements he made in Spring 2016 that he would stop using them in police shooting cases.
In December 2016, Freeman said one of the biggest regrets of his career was using grand juries to investigate police-involved shootings.
In December 2016, Freeman said one of the biggest regrets of his career was using grand juries to investigate police-involved shootings.
"I made a mistake in the first 17 years of being a county attorney by using a grand jury to investigate cop-involved shootings."
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says that he still does not yet have enough evidence to file charges against Mohamed Noor, a Somali-American Minneapolis police officer, in the shooting death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, blaming investigators who “haven’t done their job.” The shooting death occurred 6 months ago in an upscale Southwest Minneapolis neighborhood.
“I’ve got to have the evidence, and I don’t have it yet. Let me just say it’s not my fault. So if it isn’t my fault, who didn’t do their job? Investigators. They don’t work for me. They haven’t done their job.”
Mohamed Noor has still refused to talk to investigators and is on paid administrative leave. Former Mayor Betsy Hodges said, back then, she was "frustrated that Officer Noor won't tell his story to BCA investigators."
Mohamed Noor graduated in 2015 from the city’s accelerated police cadet program. The seven-month training is a quicker, nontraditional route to policing. The Minneapolis program covers tuition at Hennepin Technical College and pays trainees a $20-an-hour salary with benefits while they work to get licensed as a police officer. After that their salary bumps up. The Minneapolis Police Department has struggled in recent years with a shrinking pool of applicants for job openings.
Noor had been with the force for two years and was hailed as the first "Somali-American" officer in the precinct by Mayor Betsy Hodges, who held a welcoming dinner to celebrate his hire. On the night of the shooting, Noor was paired with officer Matthew Harrity, who had been a cop for less than one year.
The shooting victim was a 40 year old white woman from Australia. The two officers pulled into an alley while responding to a 911 call from Damond. She was reporting a rape behind her house. She was at the patrol car's driver’s side door and talking to the driver, Officer Garrity, when Officer Noor, SEATED in the passenger seat, shot her "several times" past Garrity and through the driver’s side door. He allegedly was startled by a loud bang. The body cam wasn't turned on. Officer Harrity has spoken with the BCA. Noor has refused.
UPDATED 1/24: Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman is convening a grand jury to gather evidence in the 2017 shooting of Justine Damond, but said he still will decide whether Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor will face charges in her death. Matthew Harrity, Noor's partner the night Damond was killed, was served a subpoena Wednesday to testify before a grand jury, said his attorney Fred Bruno.
Freeman will continue the office's two-year-old policy where he makes the decision on whether or not to bring charges in officer-involved shootings. Because grand jury proceedings are secret, we cannot comment on grand jury subpoenas or any testimony that occurs before a grand jury.
Bob Bennett, an attorney for Damond's family, said they support Freeman's move, saying witnesses involved in the case have been uncooperative and untruthful:
"I and the family are happy that the Hennepin County Attorney is using every means at their disposal to get people to cooperate in this investigation and suffer the penalties of perjury if they lie to the grand jury. I question whether [witnesses] have been totally forthcoming or told the truth in whole."
Freeman's decision to use a grand jury reverses several pronouncements he made in Spring 2016 that he would stop using them in police shooting cases.
In December 2016, Freeman said one of the biggest regrets of his career was using grand juries to investigate police-involved shootings. "I made a mistake in the first 17 years of being a county attorney by using a grand jury to investigate cop-involved shootings."
In December 2016, Freeman said one of the biggest regrets of his career was using grand juries to investigate police-involved shootings. "I made a mistake in the first 17 years of being a county attorney by using a grand jury to investigate cop-involved shootings."
PREVIOUS REPORTING ON THIS CASE:
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says that he still does not yet have enough evidence to file charges against Mohamed Noor, a Somali-American Minneapolis police officer, in the shooting death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, blaming investigators who “haven’t done their job.” The shooting death occurred 6 months ago in an upscale Southwest Minneapolis neighborhood.
“I’ve got to have the evidence, and I don’t have it yet. Let me just say it’s not my fault. So if it isn’t my fault, who didn’t do their job? Investigators. They don’t work for me. They haven’t done their job.”
Mohamed Noor has still refused to talk to investigators and is on paid administrative leave. Former Mayor Betsy Hodges said, back then, she was "frustrated that Officer Noor won't tell his story to BCA investigators."
Mohamed Noor graduated in 2015 from the city’s accelerated police cadet program. The seven-month training is a quicker, nontraditional route to policing. The Minneapolis program covers tuition at Hennepin Technical College and pays trainees a $20-an-hour salary with benefits while they work to get licensed as a police officer. After that their salary bumps up. The Minneapolis Police Department has struggled in recent years with a shrinking pool of applicants for job openings.
Noor had been with the force for two years and was hailed as the first "Somali-American" officer in the precinct by Mayor Betsy Hodges, who held a welcoming dinner to celebrate his hire. On the night of the shooting, Noor was paired with officer Matthew Harrity, who had been a cop for less than one year.
The shooting victim was a 40 year old white woman from Australia. The two officers pulled into an alley while responding to a 911 call from Damond. She was reporting a rape behind her house. She was at the patrol car's driver’s side door and talking to the driver, Officer Garrity, when Officer Noor, SEATED in the passenger seat, shot her "several times" past Garrity and through the driver’s side door. He allegedly was startled by a loud bang. The body cam wasn't turned on. Officer Harrity has spoken with the BCA. Noor has refused.
