The Champlin man charged with crashing into a bus shelter in north Minneapolis this summer, injuring six men, made his first court appearance Thursday afternoon.
George R. Jensen, 83, took careful, shuffling steps to the podium with the aid of a walker. A cane also dangled from the device. He did not enter any pleas to the charges, which typically occurs at a later hearing. His next hearing is set for Oct. 14.
Jensen was charged last month with five counts of criminal vehicular operation in the July 9 incident that left three men in critical condition and three others injured.
His attorney, Mark Kelly, released a statement afterward, saying that the crash was an accident and that Jensen was headed to the farmers market at the time. "Mr. Jensen and his family have been praying for a full and speedy recovery for all affected," the statement said.
The case drew blistering criticism from several civil rights leaders who felt that Jensen was receiving preferential treatment because he is white and his victims are black. They called for the Minnesota Supreme Court to take the case over from Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, although a legal scholar said such a move is difficult.
Activist Spike Moss has accused Jensen of intentional harm.
Jensen's statement said he previously owned a business in north Minneapolis and considered it "a community in which he has always felt a kinship."
Activist Tyrone Terrill said Thursday that he rejected Jensen's statement.
