Recent content from Liz Sawyer
Records: Former Minneapolis police oversight head disparaged women, threatened staff
John Jefferson, a retired FBI agent, resigned in February after a lengthy HR investigation into numerous allegations, including his decision to reenact police restraint holds on civilian staff without warning or consent.
Orchestrator of Zaria McKeever killing gets life in prison
In a packed courtroom punctuated with emotion, the man who orchestrated the home invasion and killing of his ex-girlfriend by a pair of teenage brothers was sentenced to life in prison.
Judge: Minnesota state trooper's defense may call use-of-force expert for testimony
Judge Tamara Garcia ruled that the defense made a "plausible argument" that Jeffrey Noble's findings are relevant to the murder case, but denied a request to depose him ahead of an April 29 hearing.
Activists demand Minneapolis police contract negotiations be open to the public
They criticized city officials for agreeing to closed-door mediation to resolve long-expired police union contract.
Mpls. officers reprimanded for misconduct in wake of George Floyd's murder
Newly published discipline reports reveal that former chiefs moved to terminate two officers for excessive force and suspended others for failing to uphold department policy.
Memo: Use-of-force expert in Minnesota state trooper case gave no final opinion in motorist's fatal shooting
Jeffrey Noble speculated that trooper Ryan Londregan acted as a "reasonable officer" would have to protect his partner, but refrained from offering a final opinion on whether deadly force was necessary.
L.A. Times journalists attacked by Minnesota State Patrol reach $1.2M settlement
The Los Angeles Times journalists argued in their lawsuit that their press credentials were clearly visible when troopers attacked them as they covered the aftermath of George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis.
Teen who killed Zaria McKeever enters guilty plea, will serve 10-year term
He agreed to testify against the man charged with plotting the home invasion.
Evidence under debate as Minnesota state trooper charged in motorist's killing appears in court
Trooper Ryan Londregan's attorneys want records from a prosecution expert. Prosecutors say they've handed over all relevant information.
Teen accused in woman's slaying now charged as adult; plea deal on table
The charges stem from a botched break-in at a Brooklyn Park apartment complex in 2022. Attorney General Keith Ellison's office later took over the case from the Hennepin County Attorney.
Two members of Minneapolis civilian oversight commission abruptly resign
The departures are the latest fallout after recent terminations, resignations.
An errant bullet nearly killed her 17 years ago. But Vernice Hall was determined to live.
At age 12, an errant bullet robbed Vernice Hall of a normal life. For years, she continued to fight.
Decades of turmoil mark legacy of civilian police oversight in Minneapolis
City operations director commits to making oversight work after the termination of one official and the departure of another.
Man shot dead in north Minneapolis drive-by shooting
The man was shot several times at about 4:30 p.m. and died at the scene.
'Nothing could be more honorable': Fallen Burnsville police, firefighter mourned in massive ceremony
Thousands attended in person and watched the livestream sending off the first responders.
Burnsville responders mourned: 'May you forever rest in peace'
The BCA said 10,000 people filled Grace Church, hundreds more attended Prince of Peace Lutheran Church to watch the 2-hour service. More than 20,000 watched the livestream.
Four people shot in Minneapolis Tuesday afternoon; 1 dead, 1 critical
A mass shooting took place at a nearby market last August.
Man accused of human smuggling in deaths of Indian family during blizzard near Minnesota-Canada border
The family froze to death during an attempted crossing; Harshkumar Patel, an Indian national, was arrested in Chicago.
Two Burnsville cops, paramedic shot and killed; gunman dead
The first responder was trying to help one of the wounded officers when shot, police said. The shootings happened after an hourslong standoff following a domestic abuse call.
Outpouring of grief, support for 2 Burnsville officers and medic slain during domestic assault call
Hundreds turned out to watch the procession for officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth, 40.
Media coalition fights for immediate access to evidence in trooper's deadly force case
A group of Minnesota media outlets, including the Star Tribune, opposes prosecutors' request to restrict court filings from public view for two business days.
In Minneapolis, police staffing levels continued to drop in 2023. So did crime.
Criminologists say police staffing is only one factor in a vast and complicated universe of what drives crime trends in the U.S.
Shooting in downtown St. Paul wounds 1 man, officers arrest 20-year-old suspect
The 37-year-old victim was shot in the abdomen and transported to Regions Hospital; he is expected to survive.
Three groups vying to monitor Minneapolis' consent decrees flaunt their credentials
At two community events this week, three out-of-state police evaluation organizations presented themselves for community approval.
Man charged with firing AR-15 on New Year's Day, injuring 11-year-old girl
Minneapolis Chief Brian O'Hara accused 44-year-old James William Turner of 'reckless celebratory behavior'
27-year-old woman charged with murder in weekend shooting at Marcy-Holmes deli
A brawl between customers at Mr. Santana precipitated the shooting, which killed a 40-year-old Michigan man.
Suspect arrested in New Year's Day shooting that injured 11-year-old Minneapolis girl
Police say the man was drinking and fired an AR-15 firearm into the air, striking the girl as she sat in her bedroom. She underwent surgery Wednesday evening.
Minneapolis police make arrest in Saturday shooting that killed Michigan man
Woman remains jailed in connection with the death of 40-year-old Kenneth Johnson; murder charges are pending.
Two children wounded in their own homes during overnight shootings in Minneapolis, St. Paul
The victims, a 10-year-old boy and 11-year-old girl, are both expected to survive.
Finalists vying to oversee Mpls. consent decrees tout experience, diverse teams
Their services are expected to cost the city an estimated $1.5 million per year.
Dozens of Minneapolis police officers, civilian lauded for going above the call of duty
The award follows an attack on two officers responding to a domestic call Monday night.
Woman shot to death in Linden Hills apartment; suspect believed to be live-in partner on the run
The shooting occurred Sunday night in the Linden Hills neighborhood and is believed to be a domestic incident.
Anoka judge rejects challenge to Minnesota's new law restoring voting rights to felons
A lawyer for the conservative Minnesota Voters Alliance vowed to appeal the ruling and seek an accelerated review before the state Supreme Court — before the 2024 election.
Mpls. police union seeks state mediation for 'ineffective' contract talks
Public negotiations stalled last month.
Three finalists selected for independent monitor overseeing Minneapolis' consent decrees
The public will have a chance to hear from each group during scheduled community presentations in mid-January.
Dinkytown tobacco shop to enhance security following weekend shooting that killed 2, injured clerk
The family-owned shop will post licensed security guards at the door and limit the number of people allowed inside during late-night business hours.
Man, 20, dies at HCMC days after shooting in south Minneapolis
Investigators believe the man was hanging out with friends in a nearby parking lot when shots were fired from a passing vehicle.
Brawl at Dinkytown tobacco shop led to shooting that killed 2
The victims were identified as Bryson Lamarr Haskell and Jamartre Michael Sanders, both 24 and from of Minneapolis.
Man, 34, identified as shooting victim in south Minneapolis homicide
Darius Renee Wilson of Burnsville died of a gunshot wound to the chest early Monday morning near Midtown Global Market.
Teen pleads guilty to role in shooting that wounded on-duty Minneapolis officer
The officer has since returned to duty full time, MPD says.
One person shot, killed Wednesday on south Minneapolis sidewalk
It is the city's 62nd homicide of the year, according to a Star Tribune database.
Marvin Haynes, sentenced to life in 2004 flower shop killing, seeks to overturn conviction
Innocence Project argues that Haynes, now 35, was wrongfully convicted based on faulty eyewitness identification.
Derek Chauvin expected to survive after prison stabbing
The former Minneapolis police officer has been serving time in a medium-security prison in Arizona, where he was stabbed and wounded by another prisoner.
Man shot, killed in Minneapolis following 'verbal altercation'
Nine people in Minneapolis have died from gun violence in the past three weeks.
Minneapolis civilian oversight is moving slowly as complaints against police mount
In its first six months, the Community Commission on Police Oversight has handled only two cases out of the hundreds of complaints filed.
Lawsuit: Minneapolis' violence prevention office used illegal process to award millions in grant money
The civil suit asks a judge to suspend programs funded by the Neighborhood Safety Office "before more public funds are improperly spent."
New head of Minneapolis police homicide unit was previously suspended for forwarding racist email
Lt. Aimee Linson returned to work in April after more than a year on paid leave.
Ex-MPD cop who beat Black man during unrest gets 15 days
Justin Stetson, the former SWAT leader who attacked Jaleel Stallings amid the height of civil unrest in 2020, received a sentence of 15 days in the county workhouse and two years' probation after pleading guilty to felony third-degree assault.
Minneapolis police officer suspended while department investigates alleged on-duty hookup
The six-year veteran is accused of exchanging erotic texts and arranging a meetup for oral sex during his overnight shift.
Nothando Zulu, master storyteller and beloved educator dedicated to keeping Black history alive, dies at 78
She focused on children in particular, telling tales as a "means for her to teach without preaching or lecturing."
Minneapolis police link shell casings from Uptown shooting to six different firearms
Gunfire erupted outside a vigil for 21-year-old Vintrez Lamont Johnson, who was killed on that block two days earlier.
Minneapolis Police Department celebrates officers who went above call of duty
Several dozen people, both sworn and civilian, received commendations for acts of heroism.
Mpls. City Council rejects $145K PTSD claim by former officer involved in beating
Sgt. Andrew Bittell was among dozens of officers who severed ties with the department while their disciplinary cases for misconduct were still pending.
Minneapolis Police Federation proposes 1-year 'bridge' contract to tackle staffing crisis
The proposal, which includes a 5.2% pay increase without any new accountability measures, is a tough sell for city leaders.
Motorcyclist killed in crash with 15-year-old driver ID'd
Ronnie D. Rowles, 59, of Anoka, Minn., was traveling through a green light when he was struck and killed Wednesday night.
Fourth Precinct Inspector Charlie Adams honored as 'gold standard' of community policing
Dozens gather at precinct to acknowledge his 37 years of service to North Side community — as a cop, youth mentor and football coach.
Feds searching for Minneapolis murder suspect 'mistakenly released' from Indiana jail last week
The incident prompted an internal investigation, which led to the termination of two employees.
Groups push for accountability, officer wellness in Minneapolis police contract talks
One proposal would bar licensed police officers from responding to certain non-emergency calls.
Minneapolis police staff levels hit historic lows amid struggle for recruitment, retention
With 585 sworn officers, the city holds one of the lowest ratios of officers to citizens among many major American cities.
Police: Gunfire erupts on same Uptown block where man shot dead 2 days earlier
Shots rang out during nearby memorial for 21-year-old Vintrez Lamont Johnson.
Attorneys decry Mpls. demands for private data in government transparency suit
The lawsuit hinges whether "coaching" police officers following policy infractions constitutes as formal discipline.
ATF: Firearm that wounded Minneapolis police officer linked to other Twin Cities shootings
Frederick Leon Davis, the 19-year-old charged with attempted murder in the shooting of Officer Jacob Spies, now faces federal charges of unlawfully possessing a machine gun.
Minneapolis police officer shot on duty given Medal of Honor, department's first Purple Heart
Officer Jacob Spies lauded as exemplifying the "very best of our profession."
Minneapolis hires law firm to investigate complaints vs. police chief
An outside investigation is necessary to "preserve neutrality and investigator independence," a city spokesperson said.
Minneapolis police take first steps toward consent decree reforms: Rebuilding trust
The reforms are required by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder.
Two charged in weekend shooting of Minneapolis police officer
The officer was in an unmarked car pursuing a group of robbery suspects late Friday when he was struck in the shoulder with automatic gunfire.
Few answers after fatal shooting at Minneapolis punk show
Police have announced no arrests in connection with the shooting at the pop-up punk venue Nudieland, as victims have received an nationwide outpouring of support.
Mpls. chief: Assailants may not have known they shot at police officer
Sources identified the officer as Jacob Spies, a seven-year veteran of the Minneapolis force.
4 arrested after Minneapolis police officer shot and injured while driving
The officer was pursuing a robbery suspect in an unmarked car, Police Chief Brian O'Hara said.
Attorney, advocates for trooper who shot Ricky Cobb decry state officials' meetings with his family
Trooper Ryan Londregran's attorneys called the private conversations 'troubling," while the state's largest law enforcement group claimed they present a conflict of interest.
