Staff Directory 6370466

Kim Hyatt

Reporter | Hennepin County courts
Phone: 612-673-4751

Kim Hyatt reports on Hennepin County Courts. She previously covered the western and northern metro suburbs of the Twin Cities.


Hyatt grew up in north central Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She worked as an investigative reporter at The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and the Owatonna People's Press where she was named New Journalist of the Year by the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Outside of work, she is often shooting hoops, watering her 40+ plants and spending time with family.
Recent content from Kim Hyatt
The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a jury should determine the veracity of a woman’s Facebook post accusing a Minneapolis dance instru

Minnesota Supreme Court: Jury must decide truth of #MeToo Facebook post

At the heart of the case is a 2020 Facebook post accusing a Minneapolis dance instructor of sexual assault.
Ricky Cobb II’s twin brother, Rashad Cobb, spoke Aug. 18 about losing a twin. At his left was his mother, Nyra Miller-Fields, and lawyer Harry Danie

Hennepin County Attorney now considering charges in state trooper shooting of Ricky Cobb

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement that some State Patrol employees refused to cooperate with the investigation into the fatal shooting.
The U.S. Bank Stadium light rail station in November 2019.

Man says he stabbed victim at Minneapolis light-rail stop for 'practice killing,' charge says

The victim remains hospitalized.
A threatening video posted online forced Edina High School and a nearby middle school to shift to virtual instruction on Friday, Sept. 15.

Teen charged with felony gun possession for Edina High School threat

He faces two felony counts for being a minor in possession of a firearm and making treats of violence.
Minneapolis police officer Jacob Spies, right, was joined by his daughter, Olivia, and his wife, Holly, at the ceremony. Mpls. officer shot on duty is

Teen is third charged in shooting of on-duty MPD officer

The teen was charged in juvenile court; no details were released about role in shooting.
Murder charge: Man strangled brother, 7, in family's Eden Prairie home

Murder charge: Man strangled brother, 7, in family's Eden Prairie home

Dalal Idd made a series of 911 calls before surrendering to police.
Robbinsdale man gets 180 days in workhouse, probation for sexually assaulting girl

Robbinsdale man gets 180 days in workhouse, probation for sexually assaulting girl

Over the objections of his victim's family, a 22-year-old Robbinsdale man was spared prison and instead ordered to serve six months in custody after pleading…
Motorcyclist injured after rear-end crash with Minneapolis police sues city

Motorcyclist injured after rear-end crash with Minneapolis police sues city

He was rammed from behind on Minnehaha Parkway in the summer of 2020, resulting in lasting injuries.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty listened as U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, right, spoke during a community discussion on the impacts of marijuana legali

Mary Moriarty and Ilhan Omar discuss impact of marijuana legalization, consent decree

At a discussion during Welcome Week at the U, panelists hosted by Moriarty and Omar agreed that the war on drugs caused harm through mass incarceration and had a disproportionate impact on communities of color.
Pamela and Mark Novak were attacked Aug. 24 inside their Bloomington home. Mark died and Pamela remains in the ICU.

Nephew charged with murder, attempted murder of aunt and uncle inside their Bloomington home

There was no motive released in the attack.
A memorial for Leneal Frazier, who was killed in a crash with a Minneapolis police car as officers pursued someone else on July 6, 2021.

Charges dropped against man accused of fleeing police in fatal Mpls. chase

The crash killed an innocent bystander and resulted in the officer's manslaughter conviction.
Minneapolis man, 72, pleads guilty to killing roommate in midst of murder trial

Minneapolis man, 72, pleads guilty to killing roommate in midst of murder trial

The plea deal amended charge from second-degree murder to first-degree manslaughter.
Alice Tibbetts shown during a Classical Actors Ensemble rehearsal for their production of William Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor” nex

6 months in jail, probation for ex-Minneapolis fire cadet who killed 23-year-old woman in crash

He was on a FaceTime call and speeding when he struck the woman's vehicle on Hwy. 62 two years ago.
Law enforcement from various local agencies saluted Minneapolis police officer Jacob Spies as he was discharged Saturday from North Memorial Health af

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.
Attorney Sarah Gad, photographed at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis on Aug. 14, is running against Rep. Ilhan Omar in the Democra

Minneapolis attorney is first to launch 2024 DFL primary run against Rep. Omar

Sarah Gad's challenge comes as Omar seeks a fourth term in the U.S. House.
Alec Cook, 27, center left, left Hennepin County District Court after his 14-day trial came to a close April 12.

Edina man civilly committed as a sexually dangerous person for assaults as Wis. student

At least 11 women came forward with allegations against Alec Cook.
Sheila Biernat, wearing teal to represent the color of sexual assault awareness, stood in front of the Memorial to Survivors of Sexual Violence in Boo

Man sentenced to 30 years for 2007 rape of jogger in Minneapolis' Boom Island Park

He completed a 15-year federal sentence last summer for a bank robbery committed days after the rape.
Jeremiah Grady, with his public defender Tanya Bishop, addressed the court at his sentencing for the killing of London Bean.

In emotional courtroom, man gets 30-year sentence for fatal shooting of 12-year-old boy in Mpls.

The families of Jeremiah Grady and London Bean, who was killed, sat opposite one another.
Steve Meldahl shown in one of his rental houses in 2019.

Embattled north Minneapolis landlord charged with five counts of tax evasion

Steven Meldahl is accused of evading sales tax payments by claiming to be a non-profit charitable organization.
Mpls. mom charged in child's fatal fentanyl overdose

Mpls. mom charged in child's fatal fentanyl overdose

The 1-year-old child of Sandy Vilaihong, 29, died in February.
Tou Thao speaks during his sentencing hearing in Hennepin County District Court on Monday in Minneapolis.

Ex-Minneapolis cop Tou Thao sentenced to nearly 5 years for aiding George Floyd's killing

"I was hoping for a little more remorse, regret, acknowledgement of some responsibility and less preaching," Judge Peter Cahill said.
Minnesota troopers' policy warns of shooting at moving vehicles

Minnesota troopers' policy warns of shooting at moving vehicles

The decision of whether the State Patrol shooting on I-94 was justified may hinge on whether Ricky Cobb II tried to drive away and, if so, whether that posed a threat to troopers.
Col. Matt Langer, chief of the State Patrol, spoke about the shooting death of Ricky Cobb at a news conference on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in St. Paul.

BCA names troopers involved in fatal shooting on I-94 in Minneapolis

Ricky Cobb II died after being shot about 2 a.m. Monday on I-94 near 42nd Avenue N. following a traffic stop.
Two Twin Cities men charged with murder in April shooting in north Minneapolis

Two Twin Cities men charged with murder in April shooting in north Minneapolis

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office charged two Twin Cities men with murder in an April shooting in north Minneapolis.Dante Kenneth Carter, 28, and Shannon Jackson,…
Heaven Lacy showed the gunshot wound that went through her chest and lung then out of her back while in her hospital bed at HCMC on Friday in Minneapo

Minneapolis shooting victim recounts loss, trauma despite her efforts to avoid gun violence

The deceased victim's mother said her daughter was a jokester and caregiver. Her funeral is set for Saturday.
Jerry Markey spoke out Monday against the plea deal offered for one of the suspects involved in his son’s slaying four years ago.

Family decries plea offer for teen who aided deadly northeast Minneapolis carjacking

"It's an insult to my son," Jerry Markey said.
Twin Cities gymnastics coach charged with sending sexually explicit messages to child

Twin Cities gymnastics coach charged with sending sexually explicit messages to child

David Robert Carlson admitted to most of the allegations, charges say.
Recreational use of cannabis will be legal for adults in Minnesota beginning Tuesday.

What you need to know about cannabis-crime expungement in Minnesota

It may be at least a year until misdemeanor pot records no longer pop up during a background check.
Minneapolis man charged with murder, attempted murder in shooting of 2 women near MSP Airport

Minneapolis man charged with murder, attempted murder in shooting of 2 women near MSP Airport

Tonia Powell was killed and another woman injured.
Shamar Alon Ramon Lark was sentenced Wednesday in Hennepin County District Court in Minneapolis.

Man sentenced to three years for firing gun inside Nike store at Mall of America

No one was shot, but the judge said many were endangered and the shooting wasn't self defense.
In this Star Tribune file photo from 2017, food truck owner Soulaire Allerai, who was accused of running a cult, dressed up as Severus Snape as part o

Judge dismisses defamation lawsuit filed by Minnetonka food truck owner over cult accusations

District Judge Joseph Klein tossed out the suit, ruling that whether or not a religious organization is a cult is a matter of personal opinion.
Benjamin Richardson took a selfie with defense attorney Sarah Gad on Wednesday before he was released from the Hennepin County jail after prosecutors

Brooklyn Park murder charge dropped, man released after 7 months in jail

"All the evidence points elsewhere," his defense attorney said.
About 150 people gathered for a transgender rights rally at the Lake Street light-rail station in Minneapolis in March, after a transgender woman was

Men receive probation for Mpls. light-rail assault that seriously injured transgender woman

Prosecutors don't believe the attack was motivated by bias.
Hennepin County Attorney's Office dismisses drug case over prosecutorial misconduct claims

Hennepin County Attorney's Office dismisses drug case over prosecutorial misconduct claims

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office said Minneapolis police failed to provide some evidence; others were referred for testing.
Dani Powe had a piece of cake along with her 19-month-old son Israel after the Hennepin County Treatment Courts graduation ceremony Friday at the Henn

Hennepin County hosts first treatment courts graduation ceremony since pandemic

"I finally took hold of the rope and got in my own way, and here I am, on my way to success," one graduate said.
Emily and John Gerding, shown with daughters Emelia, left, and Eleanor. The girls were not in the van when it was hit.

Minneapolis man charged in Robbinsdale crash that killed teacher, injured her husband

Quinton Hudson was allegedly on drugs when he broadsided the Gerdings' minivan.
Ex-Minneapolis police officer Brian Cummings listened to Judge Tamara Garcia during his sentencing in her courtroom at the Hennepin Government Center

Ex-MPD officer sentenced to 9 months in workhouse for chase that caused fatal crash

Brian Cummings pleaded guilty in April to criminal vehicular homicide.
Raishawn Smith, Trinity Ottoson-Smith’s father, showed a photo Tuesday of him holding his daughter Raina on the day she was born with Trinity overlo

Man gets 37½-year term for fatal shooting of girl on trampoline

D'Pree Robinson pleaded guilty in March, just as his trial was set to begin, but tried to withdraw the plea to no avail.
The five killed were: Sabiriin Ali, 17, at left; Sahra Gesaade, 20, and Salma Abdikadir, 20, upper right; and Sagal Hersi, 19, and Siham Adam, 19, low

Thompson faces 10 felony counts in crash that killed 5 women

Derrick Thompson was charged with two felony counts for each victim and will make his first court appearance Friday.
Family members comforted one another Monday at the funeral of the five young women killed in a car crash on Lake Street, at the Garden of Eden Islamic

Charges expected Thursday in Minneapolis crash that killed 5 young women

Derrick Thompson remains jailed on suspicion of murder.
Trinity Ottoson-Smith

Minneapolis man asks to withdraw guilty plea in death of 9-year-old girl struck by stray bullet

She was jumping on a friend's trampoline and caught between gunfire in May 2021.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty hosted a news conference Wednesday, June 14, 2023, to unveil a new collaboration to combat youth auto theft.

Hennepin County attorney plans new effort to curb youth car theft

County Attorney Mary Moriarty and attorney Nekima Levy-Armstrong both focused on the prolific problem.
The family of 6-year-old Blessings McLaurin-Grey, 6, held a news conference at the Hennepin County Government Center on Wednesday after the sentencing

Man sentenced to nearly 23 years for killing 6-year-old girl while fleeing police

He stands accused of murder in a separate trial this fall.
Appeals Court: State Patrol cannot be held liable under dog bite statute after K-9 attacked woman

Appeals Court: State Patrol cannot be held liable under dog bite statute after K-9 attacked woman

The Appeals Court ruled that the statute's language does not waive sovereign immunity.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty listened to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara at a news conference in January.

Mary Moriarty touts 'breathtaking' legislation on criminal justice reform

The town hall event touched on gun reform, juvenile crime and supporting sexual assault victims.
Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges, shown last August holding a surveillance photo from the incident.

Mall of America shooter pleads guilty to assault, averts trial

Repeat gun offender fired three shots inside the crowded mall during a confrontation last August.
Praise Ikechukwu Anuo Oluwinners

Brooklyn Park man accused of sexual assault for allegedly groping 5 women, teenager

Hennepin County has ordered that he return to civil commitment.
2 teens charged with murder in north Minneapolis shooting during apparent drug deal

2 teens charged with murder in north Minneapolis shooting during apparent drug deal

Derrell Deshawn Freeman, 27, was killed May 8.
Minneapolis police investigated gunshots fired Thursday night outside Washburn High School.

Teens charged in stabbing, shooting at Washburn High

St. Cloud teen is suspected in the assault and a 16-year-old Minneapolis boy is charged with firing a gun.
Alec Cook, 27, left Hennepin County District Court after his 14-day trial came to a close April 12, 2023. A judge officially took his case under advis

Judge to rule if Edina man convicted of Wisconsin sex assaults should be civilly committed

Alec Ross Cook, a level three sex offender, served three years in a Wisconsin prison.
The Warehouse District/Hennepin light rail stop in downtown Minneapolis.

Man released without charges after Mpls. LRT platform fight led to fatal fall in front of train

A 29-year-old St. Paul man was released without charges from the Hennepin County jail Wednesday following his involvement in a fight on a Metro Transit…
The Lake Street transit center in Minneapolis.

18-year-old charged with attempted murder in shooting at Metro Transit Lake Street station

Two other suspects are shown on video joining Robinson in the shooting.
No hate crime charges in Minneapolis attack of transgender woman at light rail

No hate crime charges in Minneapolis attack of transgender woman at light rail

Evidence did not support suspicions of a hate crime or robbery, the Hennepin County Attorney said.
Miguel Torres Jr. is out of the hospital and back home after he was repeatedly stabbed by Craig Allen Stevens, who has been charged with attempted mur

12-year-old's stabbing reflects dangers for children caught up in violence of domestic abuse

Miguel Torres Jr. survived nine stab wounds and punctured lung.
Jordan Deangelo Washington died days after he was shot outside a Richfield apartment May 17, 2018.

Minneapolis man sentenced to 15 years for 2018 fatal Richfield shooting

Victim was killed over allegations by attackers that he had shortchanged them out of marijuana.
In this image from video, witness Donald Williams wiped his eyes as he answered questions during the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek

Citing emotional distress, George Floyd bystander sues Minneapolis for officers' actions

Donald Williams is also suing for assault.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison was t the Hennepin County Government Center on Wednesday for the plea hearing of an ex-Minneapolis police off

Ex-Mpls. officer pleads guilty to assault, spared jail time for beating man in 2020 unrest

Justin Stetson pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and officer misconduct against Jaleel Stallings.
Minneapolis man charged in meth-fueled stabbing of 12-year-old boy

Minneapolis man charged in meth-fueled stabbing of 12-year-old boy

The boy remains intubated in the hospital.
Minneapolis police body camera video showed an injured and handcuffed Jaleel Stallings on May 30, 2020, during the unrest after George Floyd’s murde

Man beaten by ex-MPD officer calls proposed plea deal 'betrayal' of justice

The city of Minneapolis previously agreed to a $1.5 million settlement with Jaleel Stallings over the beating.
Minneapolis initiative to tackle untested rape kits brings first conviction

Minneapolis initiative to tackle untested rape kits brings first conviction

A 49-year-old Minneapolis man was sentenced to 32 1⁄2 years Monday.
Minneapolis man charged with murder in February drug deal shooting that killed two, injured third

Minneapolis man charged with murder in February drug deal shooting that killed two, injured third

A 24-year-old Minneapolis man was charged with murder and attempted murder Monday in connection with a February drug deal in the Lowry Hill East neighborhood…
New Hope man charged with murder following Brooklyn Center apartment stabbing

New Hope man charged with murder following Brooklyn Center apartment stabbing

A New Hope man was charged with second-degree murder Friday in connection with a fatal stabbing earlier this week at a Brooklyn Center apartment complex.Demetrius…
Indianapolis man accused of sexually assaulting woman at gunpoint in Bloomington hotel

Indianapolis man accused of sexually assaulting woman at gunpoint in Bloomington hotel

Police were in a five-hour standoff with the man.
Tou Thao, as he stood between concerned bystanders as George Floyd was being killed on May 25, 2020, by fellow police officers.

Tou Thao, ex-officer charged in George Floyd's killing, found guilty

The judge cast aside any notion that Thao was largely unaware that Floyd was in deadly peril.
Richfield police officer Amanda Johnson advises people to check their credit score and put a lock on their credit it they don’t plan on opening a ne

Suspect in Twin Cities identity theft ring pleads guilty

Investigators say a man and woman from Minneapolis targeted more than 250 victims, including a Minneapolis City Council member.
Former Minneapolis police officer Brian Cummings arrived at the Hennepin County Government Center for a hearing Thursday.

Ex-MPD officer charged in fatal crash reaches plea deal ahead of trial

Brian Cummings was charged with manslaughter in the death of Leneal Frazier.
Officials locked down the west wing of the Mall of America after the shooting was reported on Dec. 23, 2022.

Teen ordered to stand trial as adult in fatal Mall of America shooting

Lavon Longstreet is accused of shooting 19-year-old Johntae Hudson inside the Nordstrom department store.
Minneapolis man charged with murder in death of girlfriend's toddler

Minneapolis man charged with murder in death of girlfriend's toddler

A 2-year-old boy was killed last May and his 4-month-old brother was also abused.
Edina man charged in rape in Dinkytown parking ramp last fall

Edina man charged in rape in Dinkytown parking ramp last fall

The victim was waiting outside an apartment building when she was coerced to enter the ramp, complaint says.
In this screen grab from video, former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter stood with attorney Earl Gray as the verdict was read Dec. 23, 2021,

Ex-officer Potter to be released from prison, two years after killing Daunte Wright

"Her incarceration was just a moment in time," Wright's mother told the Star Tribune.
Michael Berger

New chief Hennepin County public defender is named

Michael Berger will start in June.
A memorial to Katricia Daniels and Robert Shepard outside the south Minneapolis duplex where they were killed in June 2008.

Resentencing in 2008 murder case moved after Moriarty's office cites conflict

Jail calls show Brian Flowers worked with Mary Moriarty on legal strategies, creating an alleged conflict of interest.
A sign outside the Hennepin County Government Center as people gathered to wait for the verdict in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police offic

Appeals court rejects Chauvin's request for new trial in George Floyd killing

The decision marked an end to Chauvin's case after nearly three years since George Floyd's murder in May 2020.
Mary Moriarty at her community swearing-in as Hennepin County attorney at the Capri Theater in Minneapolis on Jan 4. Retired Hennepin County Judge Kev

Murder case creates clash between friends Mary Moriarty, Keith Ellison

Community grief collides with reform promises in the case of two juveniles charged in the killing of a woman.
The cover of Eleana Lukes’ book, which is the subject of a lawsuit by Derry Evans, who is imprisoned for sex trafficking.

Imprisoned Minneapolis sex trafficker sues St. Cloud accuser over books

The author has countersued for "ongoing trauma," among other claims.