Recent content from Liz Sawyer
Defamation lawsuit by fired Minneapolis police officer moves toward trial
Judge ruled that immunity does not apply to "a non-elected police chief."
Minnesota Police Association files ethics complaint against Mary Moriarty in trooper case
The statewide law enforcement trade group accuses Mary Moriarty of a politically motivated prosecution in pursuing murder charges against state trooper Ryan Londregan.
Minneapolis City Council approves police union contract
The contract includes historic raises, amounting to 21.7% over three years, and will make Minneapolis police among the top five highest-paid in the state.
Mother of mastermind behind home invasion that killed Zaria McKeever charged as an accomplice
The 47-year-old Minneapolis woman helped harbor one of the teenage shooters in her hotel room and lied to police about her knowledge of the 2022 break-in after the fact, charges say.
Civilian oversight chair resigns, marking third vacancy on police review board
City Council has nominated two candidates to fill current openings, but applications to join the Community Commission on Police Oversight are way down.
Proposed Mpls. police contract with historic pay raises draws strong views from residents
Supporters and detractors of the proposed contract were outspoken at the city's second public hearing.
More details emerge in gun battle that killed 2 officers, EMT in Burnsville
The Dakota County Attorney determined that police were "legally justified" in firing on Shannon Gooden, who killed himself while holed up in the house with several children.
Judge weighs arguments on whether Minneapolis broke law in secretive police 'coaching'
Beyond the legal argument, the public records lawsuit has opened a window into the city's convoluted coaching process.
Public weighs in as City Council considers proposed Minneapolis police contract, pay raises
The 22% raises are critical to recruitment and retention, mayor and chief say. Opponents say the department still lacks accountability.
Slain Minneapolis officer Jamal Mitchell's last words: 'Who shot you?'
City officials released body camera footage from two recent deadly police shootings. Video showed an assailant pull a gun on Jamal Mitchell without warning as the officer approached to tend his wounds.
911 calls reveal chaotic mass shooting scene in Minneapolis: 'I got shot'
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says he will temporarily withhold body camera video from the incident — at the request of the BCA — because it may interfere with the ongoing investigation.
Jamal Mitchell 1988-2024
A true peacekeeper with a "megawatt" smile, Mitchell joined the police force to build community bridges.
Minneapolis police union votes to approve tentative contract for historic 21.7% pay raise
Rank-and-file members voted to ratify the new contract; accord still requires City Council approval.
Walz planned to remove Moriarty from state trooper murder prosecution
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said rumors over pulling her from the case didn't factor into her decision to drop murder charges.
Police officer, civilian and shooter dead, and responders wounded in Minneapolis shooting
Jamal Mitchell was 'ambushed' while responding to a shooting at an apartment building in the 2200 block of Blaisdell Avenue, making him the first Minneapolis police officer to be shot and killed in the line of duty in more than 20 years.
Despite years of denial, Mpls. police used secretive process for serious misconduct
City officials have repeatedly claimed they only use coaching for the lowest-level policy violations. New court documents show that's not true.
Discrepancies in how coaching is used
Explanations by city officials on coaching differ from how it was actually used in some cases.
Appeals court throws out conviction in death of North football star Deshaun Hill Jr.
Panel says incriminating statements were illegally collected by law enforcement. County Attorney's Office says it's "deeply disappointed" in the ruling.
Minneapolis' $18M crime prevention effort questioned after contracts unpaid
The city stopped paying violence interrupters with little explanation.
Man sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempted murder in shooting of Minneapolis police officer
Frederick Davis Jr., 19, admitted to firing a dozen shots at the unmarked vehicle following him, but denied knowingly targeting police.
Trooper pleads not guilty on murder, manslaughter charges; trial set for September
The trial for Ryan Londregan is slated to begin Sept. 9 and last about three weeks, including jury selection.
Teen who gunned down Zaria McKeever during home invasion sentenced to 10 years in prison
The murder case of 15-year-old Foday Kamara became a flashpoint in how the criminal justice system should punish juveniles accused of violent crimes.
Amid unsolved Minneapolis homicides, families await justice
A deadly three-year period at the height of the pandemic has left Minneapolis with the most open homicide cases in at least three decades.
Hennepin County Attorney inks contract with D.C. law firm to prosecute trooper Londregan case
The agreement includes an initial $1 million budget cap for legal services, billed at a blended rate of $850 per hour.
Two Minneapolis police officers earn Medal of Valor for daring water rescue of 4-year-old boy
A third officer earned a Lifesaving Award for his role in the emergency response last November.
Supporters, detractors briefly face off as trooper makes court appearance
Ryan Londregan is charged in the shooting death of Ricky Cobb II during a traffic stop last summer.
Minneapolis reaches $150k settlement with eyewitness of George Floyd's murder
Donald Williams, a former MMA fighter, has several criminal cases pending.
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.
