Latest Hells Angels Hearing

Trial dates are still set for at least one defendant, after an evidentiary hearing that saw defense attorneys call 6 witnesses

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Prosecuting attorneys were largely silent, during an evidentiary hearing on Friday, while the defense continued their pursuit of a dismissal.

All four charged members of the Iron Range Hells Angels and their supporters were present in the Virginia courtroom, for the joint hearing of members Anthony Debelak and Eric Newman, who is the only member still in custody.

Today’s hearing comes on the back of nearly identical motions from the defendants’ attorneys, in which they allege the state intercepted and reviewed attorney-client communications, among other alleged government misconduct. A total of six witnesses were called by the defense, which included BCA Special Agents Michael Dieter and Cory Skorczewski to testify on Friday. Both agents’ names are referenced frequently in court documents and were part of conducting surveillance on the club in 2023.

The defense claimed that the agents were part of intercepting and then passing on trial strategy to the prosecuting attorney. Information that allegedly came from attorney-client communications. Shaina Doll, Debelak’s fiancé, said on the stand that she was told not to share information with defense investigators following Debelak’s initial arrest.

Both agents, however, denied threatening anyone when conducting interviews throughout the investigation.

Another BCA employee, Jessica Zimmer, acknowledged she helped monitor inmate communications for this case on the stand. Zimmer said personnel are required to log in to view communication records, including messages and call audio. Zimmer later admitted that three other employees had used her account to review communications, despite it being against the terms of the agreement for her account.

Debelak’s trial is still set for late January, while the other three defendants are still waiting to how the hearing will impact their cases.