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Informant says murder defendant confessed to killing bicyclist

Police paid him $200 for a tip on the slaying of bicyclist Mark Loesch. One man convicted in the case testifies today.

By ROCHELLE OLSON, Star Tribune

Last update: May 14, 2009 - 8:30 AM

A confidential informant feeding information to Minneapolis police in 2007 testified Wednesday that Jamaal Freeman confessed to killing bicyclist Mark Loesch, although the witness also said he sometimes lied to police.

David Tyus, 20, who is in prison and has several felony convictions, said he began informing for Minneapolis police in August 2007 in exchange for money. For informing on Freeman, he got $200 and some cell phone minutes, he testified.

Freeman came up to him one day and told him about the murder of Loesch, Tyus said. "He told me he did it and started bragging about it," Tyus said.

Tyus was the only witness to testify Wednesday, the third day of Freeman's trial for murder. Court was to convene in the morning, but lawyers and the judge met behind closed doors. No explanation was provided and Tyus took the witness stand at 2 p.m.

On Sept. 12, 2007, Loesch, a father of four, watched the monologue on "Late Night with David Letterman," then told his wife he wanted to test the new tires on his bike with a ride. Samantha Loesch went to bed, but her husband never returned to their Kingfield neighborhood home.

Loesch's body was found on the lawn at 3732 Eliot Av. S. the next morning by 12-year-old Kevin Dickerson as he went to catch his school bus. Loesch died from four blows to the head, according to the medical examiner.

Donald Jackson pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery in connection with the incident. He is expected to testify against Freeman this morning.

Tyus, who said he is a Bloods gang member, said Freeman, who is not a Blood, told him Loesch approached him on a bicycle at 38th St. and Chicago Av. S. looking "for some dope." Tyus said Freeman and Jackson led Loesch around the corner to avoid surveillance cameras.

He said Freeman told him he got a bat from "Little Kevin" Dickerson and beat Loesch.

Most of the questioning of Tyus came through cross-examination by defense lawyer Emmett Donnelly. Tyus is a key prosecution witness.

Donnelly attempted to dent his credibility, getting him to acknowledge selling marijuana while working as an informant, lying to police about his own involvement in crimes and declining to tell police about the crimes of close friends.

At one point, Donnelly said sternly, "Why don't you just be open and candid with the jury here. Some people you would provide information on, and others you wouldn't. You would decide which information you provided to the Minneapolis Police Department?"

Tyus said yes.

The defense argues Jackson killed Loesch and blamed Freeman. The murder was in the heart of Bloods territory, and the defense is pushing the idea that witnesses with gang ties fingered Freeman.

Tyus testified that Dickerson, now 14 and in custody, was "trying to become a Blood." Dickerson testified earlier that Freeman told him that he killed Loesch, although he said Freeman didn't mean to do it and felt bad.

Tyus testified that the officer handling him as an informant asked if he had any information about the killing of Loesch, which initially baffled investigators because it seemed to be random.

Donnelly said to Tyus, "You just happened to run into Mr. Freeman the day after you talked to the officer. He confessed to the crime. You told the officer and collected $200?"

Tyus said yes.

The prosecution could wrap up today. The defense case was expected to last until Monday afternoon, lawyers said in court.

Why Loesch went out that night has been an issue. Testimony at the trial, which started Monday, has shown he had dependency problems with crack cocaine, marijuana and opiates, and was legally drunk when killed.

Rochelle Olson • 612-673-1747

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