By Richard Meryhew
Â
The attorney representing a Mankato football coach facing two counts of child pornography has been granted access to home videos submitted by prosecutors as the key evidence in the case, a judge has ruled.
Â
Todd Hoffner, 46, was charged in Blue Earth County District Court last month for three home videos he shot of his three children on his campus-issued cellphone this summer. The prosecution contends that the videos showed the children engaging in a sexual performance.
Â
Jim Fleming, a Mankato attorney representing Hoffner, requested access to a copy of the videos at a court hearing last week, saying he needed them to help prepare a defense.
Â
Fleming had previously been allowed to watch the videos, but only in the presence of a Blue Earth County Sheriff’s deputy. Prosecutor Mike Hanson had denied Fleming’s repeated requests to provide the defense with a copy of the images.
Â
In a ruling this week, District Judge Krista Jass granted Fleming’s request, writing that “the evidence sought by the Defendant is both relevant and material to his guilt or innocence.” Jass also wrote that “public policy considerations against unnecessary dissemination of child pornography are outweighed by Defendant’s need to review the evidence with unrestricted access.”
Â
Fleming said Tuesday that he “fully expected” Jass to rule in his favor. “I’m surprised Mr. Hanson tried to prevent access to it,” he said.
Â
Hanson declined to comment on the ruling.
Â
Fleming also requested access to copies of hard drives from two desktop computers and a celluar phone if relevant.
The request became irrelevant, however, after investigators said last week that a search of computers, videos and other electronic equipment taken from Hoffner’s home and car turned up no potential evidence in the case.
Â
Hoffner, of Eagle Lake, Minn., has been on paid administrative leave from Minnesota State University, Mankato, pending the outcome of a school investigation.
Â
His next court appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 31.
Â
Richard Meryhew • 612-673-4425
Â
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Local
Local

Northern Metal Recycling fined for air pollution violations at Becker plant
The metal shredder, which was ordered to shut down in north Minneapolis after it was found to have falsified emissions records there, must install pollution control measures.
St. Paul

St. Paul residents complain of plow drivers barreling through trash, recycling carts
The Public Works Department is investigating the incidents.
Local

Minn. lawmakers weigh further review of Fairview-Sanford merger
At least three bills threaten to slow or block the merger, especially if it involves the University of Minnesota's teaching hospital.
Minneapolis

Ex-boyfriend sentenced in ambush shooting of Minneapolis police forensic scientist
Timothy Amacher, 41, had his former student and ex-girlfriend carry out the attack.
West Metro
Charges: Richfield siblings were walking home from store when driver killed him, injured her
The driver was speeding, drunk and left the scene, according to the charges.