Crime

Judge Refuses To Delay, Move Trial of Ex-Cop in Floyd Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A judge on Friday denied a defense request to delay or move the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death after a $27 million settlement for Floyd’s family raised concern about a tainted jury. Jury selection was halfway complete last week in former officer Derek Chauvin’s trial when the city of Minneapolis…

10th Juror Picked, Lawyers Clash Over Expert in Floyd Trial

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prosecutors at the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in George Floyd’s death want a judge to allow expert testimony about how people react to traumatic events. A prosecutor said Thursday that a forensic psychiatrist should be able to testify that Floyd’s actions when he struggled with officers trying to put him in a squad…

Suspect in Wisconsin Grocery Warehouse Killings Identified

(Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP) OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (AP) — A law enforcement official says the man suspected of killing two co-workers at a Wisconsin grocery distribution warehouse before fatally shooting himself was a 41-year-old from suburban Milwaukee. Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Nicholas Ollinger identified the suspect Thursday as Fraron Cornelius, of Wauwatosa. Police say the suspect died from…

Chauvin Jury Grows Despite $27M Settlement to Floyd Family

(Court TV, via AP, Pool) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The jury being seated for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s trial in George Floyd’s death is growing despite concerns about publicity from a $27 million payout to Floyd’s family to settle their civil lawsuit. The city of Minneapolis agreed to the settlement last week in the midst of jury selection. That…

Wisconsin Judge Charged With Seven Child Pornography Counts

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled a Wisconsin judge from the bench after he was charged with multiple counts of possession of child pornography. State Department of Justice attorneys filed seven felony counts against Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Brett Blomme. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. The charges were filed…

Atlanta-Area Shootings Leave 8 Dead, Many of Asian Descent

(courtesy: CNN) ATLANTA (AP) — The man accused of killing eight people at massage parlors in the Atlanta area told police his act was not racially motivated, and that he had a potential “sex addiction.” Still, officials said they were investigating whether the deaths were hate crimes amid concerns over a wave of attacks on Asian Americans. Six of the…

Officials: Wisconsin Man Kills 2 Co-Workers, Later Dies

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A worker shot and killed two colleagues at a supermarket distribution center near Milwaukee before crashing his vehicle during a police pursuit and then killing himself, a union official and police said Wednesday. The attacks happened Tuesday night at the Roundy’s distribution center in Oconomowoc, about 30 miles west of Milwaukee, said Thomas Bennett, secretary-treasurer of General…

Wisconsin Judge Arrested, Suspected of Possessing Child Porn

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A Wisconsin judge was arrested Tuesday on tentative charges of possession of child pornography, authorities said. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Brett Blomme, 38, was apprehended following an investigation into “multiple uploads of child pornography,” the Wisconsin Department of Justice said in a release. A criminal complaint was expected to be filed Wednesday, the DOJ said. The…

Juror Dropped From Chauvin Trial After $27m Settlement

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A judge on Wednesday dismissed a juror who had been seated for the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer in George Floyd’s death over fears that the juror had been tainted by the city’s announcement last week of a $27 million settlement to Floyd’s family. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill recalled seven jurors and was questioning…

Ex-Officer Wants Jury to Hear About 2019 George Floyd Arrest

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Lawyers for a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death are asking the judge to admit evidence of a previous arrest in which the Black man was found with drugs, a request the prosecutor derided as an attempt to “smear” Floyd’s character. Derek Chauvin’s attorney Eric Nelson says Floyd’s arrest in May 2019 and last…

Judge Denies Duluth Officer’s Motion to Dismiss Shooting Case Against Him

2015 photo on City of Rosemount’s website congratulating Officer Tyler Leibfried on his new job with the Duluth Police Department. DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County Judge Sally Tarnowski has denied a Duluth police officer’s request to dismiss charges against him in a shooting that injured an unarmed man. Tyler Leibfried, 28, is facing two felony firearm charges, including one…

Defense in Ex-Cop’s Trial Fears Impact of $27M Settlement

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The defense attorney for a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death says he’s “gravely concerned” that last week’s announcement of a $27 million settlement for Floyd’s family makes it impossible for his client to get a fair trial. Attorney Eric Nelson asked for a continuance Monday and also raised the possibility of renewing his previously unsuccessful…

2 Charged in Assault of Capitol Officer Who Died After Riot

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials have arrested and charged two men with assaulting U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick with bear spray during the Jan. 6 riot, but they do not know yet whether it caused the officer’s death. Thirty-nine-year-old George Tanios, of Morgantown, W.Va., and 32-year-old Julian Khater, of Pennsylvania, were arrested Sunday. They were expected to appear in…

Watch: Judge Reinstates 3rd-Degree Murder Charge in Chauvin Trial

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The trial judge ruled the third-degree murder charge will be reinstated in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who is charged with the death of George Floyd. Court proceedings started at 8 a.m. Thursday with a hearing on preliminary motions, before moving on to jury selection at 9 a.m. Five jurors have been seated…

Ruling Could Put 3rd-Degree Murder Charge in Play for Ex-Cop

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court has declined to hear the appeal of a former Minneapolis police officer who is trying to block a third-degree murder charge from being reinstated in George Floyd’s death. At issue is whether the conviction of another former police officer in an unrelated case established a precedent for prosecutors to restore a third-degree murder…

Attorneys Sift Strong Opinions, Anxiety Among Chauvin Jurors

(Court TV, via AP, Pool) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jury selection opens its second day Wednesday in the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death last May. Derek Chauvin faces second-degree murder and manslaughter charges. Several potential jurors were dismissed Tuesday, including some who said they wouldn’t be able to set aside their strong views about…

Wisconsin Protest Shootings Trial Delayed at Least 7 Months

(Antioch Police Department via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The trial for an 18-year-old from Illinois accused of killing two people and wounding a third during a protest against police brutality in Wisconsin has been pushed back by seven months and could be delayed even longer. Kyle Rittenhouse’s trial was scheduled to begin March 29, but both sides told a…

Watch: Derek Chauvin Trial Jury Selection

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Jury selection in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of George Floyd, will resume Tuesday after it was delayed a day while the court waits for more direction from the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Judge Peter Cahill was ready to start jury selection on Monday, but state prosecutors filed a request with…

Watch: Derek Chauvin Trial Live Stream, Updates

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The judge overseeing the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer accused in the death of George Floyd has paused jury selection while an appeal proceeds over the possible reinstatement of a third-degree murder charge. Judge Peter Cahill agreed Monday that he does not have jurisdiction to rule on whether the third-degree murder charge should be reinstated…

Derek Chauvin Trial Begins in Death of George Floyd

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill has ruled jury selection in the Derek Chauvin trial for the death of George Floyd can move forward Monday morning despite the unresolved issue of a third-degree murder charge in the case. Chauvin’s attorney, Eric Nelson, told the court he intends to file a petition for the Minnesota Supreme Court to review the Court of Appeals opinion…

Jury Selection Is 1st Battleground at Trial in Floyd’s Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The fate of a former Minneapolis police officer who pressed his knee into George Floyd’s neck as the man said he couldn’t breathe will be decided by 12 residents of Hennepin County who will be picked after extensive grilling about their views. Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of Derek Chauvin, who is charged with second-degree…

Floyd’s Cause Of Death, Ex-Cop’s Force Will Be Keys At Trial

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Legal experts say the murder case against the Minneapolis police officer who pressed his knee on George Floyd’s neck is no slam dunk, despite powerful bystander video from the scene. Jury selection begins Monday in Derek Chauvin’s trial on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges. The outcome of the trial is expected to come down to two key…

Key Players In Trial Of Ex-Officer Charged In Floyd’s Death

George Floyd MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Jury selection begins Monday for a former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder and manslaughter in George Floyd’s death. Derek Chauvin’s trial, which is expected to last weeks, will be overseen by an experienced, no-nonsense judge and argued by skilled attorneys on both sides. Outside issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and a global outcry…

3rd-Degree Murder Count Could Be Reinstated in Floyd’s Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Friday ordered a judge to reconsider adding a third-degree murder charge against a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death, handing a potential victory to prosecutors. A three-judge panel said Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill erred when he rejected a prosecution motion to reinstate the third-degree murder charge…

Prosecutors: Officer Was on Floyd’s Neck for About 9 Minutes

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — As the trial approaches for a Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in George Floyd’s death, prosecutors are putting the time Derek Chauvin’s knee was on Floyd’s neck at about nine minutes. The time has fluctuated before. It was given as 8 minutes, 46 seconds in an initial criminal complaint, a figure that became symbolic to many…

BCA: Duluth Standoff Suspect Who Killed K9 Luna Incited 2 Shootouts With Police

David Conwell, 37, was shot and killed by St. Louis County deputies when he pointed his gun at them from the house's porch after prior gunfire, according to the BCA.

DULUTH, Minn. – New details were released Tuesday involving what went down during last week’s fatal 20-hour standoff in Duluth that ended with the shooting deaths of police K9 Luna and the suspect. David Conwell | K9 Luna The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says David Conwell, 37, of Duluth shot at Duluth police two separate times before his third attempt…

Minnesota BCA Provides More Details in Fatal Duluth Standoff

DULUTH, Minn. – On Tuesday, The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension provided more updates on the nearly 20-hour standoff that took place last week in Duluth including the identities of law enforcement personnel who used force in the incident. According to the Minnesota BCA, Duluth police officers responded to a call from a third party about a possible physical domestic…

Growing Tension in Minneapolis As Trial Looms In Floyd Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Barbed wire and concrete barriers surround the courthouse where the former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd is due to soon go on trial. It’s a sign of the deep uneasiness hanging over the city where violence erupted after the Black man’s death and protests reverberated around the world. Mayor Jacob Frey and Gov, Tim…

2 Dead, 2 officers Struck In Police Shooting in Wadena County

NORTH GERMANY TOWNSHIP, Minn. (FOX 9) – Authorities are investigating a police shooting that left two people dead and a deputy injured in Wadena County, Minnesota. According to the sheriff’s office, at about 8:48 p.m. Saturday, deputies tried to stop a vehicle for a traffic offense near the intersection of 205th Avenue and 280th Street in North Germany Township. The vehicle eventually stopped near…

BCA: Emergency Response Team Fatally Shot Man Who Killed K-9 Luna

The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office has identified the man as David Joseph Wayne Conwell, 37, of Duluth. 

  ST. PAUL, Minn.- The man who held Duluth Police and St. Louis County Sheriff’s crews in a 20-hour standoff from Thursday night to Friday evening was fatally shot, according to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man as David Joseph Wayne Conwell, 37, of Duluth. According to Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension,…

Armed Suspect who Killed K-9 Luna Dies After 20-Hour Standoff with Police

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has taken over investigation of this incident.

DULUTH, Minn.– After holding Duluth police in a standoff since Thursday night, the suspect who shot and killed police K-9 Luna is dead tonight, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Law enforcement officials were still on scene hours after the incident ended at the 2300 block of West 4th Street in Duluth, where a standoff lasted over 20…

Wisconsin Mall Shooting Case Staying in Juvenile Court

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The case of a 15-year-old boy charged with shooting and wounding eight people at a suburban Milwaukee mall last year will remain in juvenile court. The Milwaukee teen in a petition for juvenile delinquency faces eight felony counts of first-degree reckless injury and one misdemeanor count of possessing a firearm while under 18 in connection with the…

Ex-Cop Appeals Murder Conviction to Minnesota Supreme Court

(Renee Jones Schneider/Star Tribune via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The former Minneapolis police officer convicted of third-degree murder in the 2017 fatal shooting of an Australian woman is asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to take his case. Mohamed Noor is seeking to have his conviction in the death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond overturned after a Court of Appeals panel upheld…

AG: Ex-Olympics Gymnastics Coach Kills Himself After Felony Charges, Including Sex Trafficking

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A former U.S. Olympics gymnastics coach with ties to disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar has died by apparent suicide after being charged with two dozen crimes, including forms of human trafficking. Michigan’s attorney general announced John Geddert’s death on Thursday afternoon. It came about three hours after a news conference where Nessel announced that Geddert was…

Female Victim Identified in Rice Lake Hit-And-Run Incident

RICE LAKE, Minn. – The female victim of Tuesday night’s hit-and-run crash in Rice Lake has been identified. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia E. Berger, 68, remains hospitalized in stable condition with serious injuries. The Sheriff’s Office says Berger sustained a life-threatening head injury when she was struck by a white SUV on Arnold Road around…

Appeals Court to Weigh 3rd-Degree Murder Charge for Chauvin

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals has agreed to consider a prosecutors’ request to reinstate a third-degree murder charge against the fired Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death. Jury selection begins March 8 for Derek Chauvin, who is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. The appeals court set oral arguments for March 1 on the question…

70-Year-Old Pedestrian Struck By Hit-And-Run Driver

Victim was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

RICE LAKE, Minn. – A pedestrian was fighting for her life Tuesday night after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in Rice Lake. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the 70-year-old woman was struck by an SUV around 4:30 p.m. on the 5000 block of Arnold Road. She was hospitalized with a life-threatening head injury. The 33-year-old male driver…

Duluth Police Partners With Tip 411 To Help People Give Tips Anonymous

The form is filled out online.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is partnering with tip 411, which will provide a way for the public to submit tips anonymously. The form is filled out online and asks questions like what happened, where it was seen, and a brief description. You can also attach videos and pictures when making your submission. “We don’t want any barriers….

Duluth Man Facing Multiples Charges of Fleeing Police

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man known by law enforcement for his “propensity for fleeing” officers is now facing multiple felony charges after leading police on a pursuit from Superior to Duluth last week. According to reports, Joseph Jeffrey Eastman, 42, had two separate run-ins with Duluth Police over the last two weeks. The first incident took place on February…

Seven Arrested, Charged in Itasca County Human Trafficking Operation

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – On Friday, seven people were arrested and charged during a human trafficking operation in Itasca County. According to the Itasca County Attorney’s Office, a three-day operation led by investigators with the BCA Human Trafficking Task Force in partnership with the TRUST Task Force and the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrests. According to a…

Man Arrested for Shots Fired Incident in Cloquet

CLOQUET, Minn. – A Roseville man was arrested early Friday morning at a Cloquet apartment complex after the man fired several gunshots inside one of the building’s apartments. According to the Cloquet Police Department, officers responded to a disturbance at 1535 Sahlman Avenue around 4:17 a.m. Reports state when the first officer arrived on the scene they encountered a man…

Vehicle Pursuits in Superior End in Multiple Arrests, Investigators Injured

(courtesy: Duluth Police Department) SUPERIOR, Wis. – Authorities in Superior say two separate vehicle pursuits on Wednesday resulted in the arrest of both drivers and non-life-threatening injuries to two officers from the Duluth Police Department who were assisting in one of the pursuits. The first incident happened around 11:30 a.m. when officers and investigators with the Superior Police Department and…

Duluth Police Investigating Shots Fired Incident

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is investigating a Monday afternoon shots fired incident in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood. According to police, officers responded to a report of shots fired in the area of the 20 Block of Village View Drive around 1:18 p.m. Monday. When officers arrived at the scene they learned that a small silver car was…

Minneapolis To Spend $6.4M To Recruit More Police Officers

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minneapolis will spend $6.4 million to hire dozens of police officers, even as some City Council members and activist groups are advocating to replace the police department following George Floyd’s death. The council voted unanimously on Friday to approve the additional funding, which was requested by police. The department says it only has 638 officers available to…

Appeals Court Says It Won’t Step in to Delay Derek Chauvin Trial

(from left, Derek Chauvin, Tuo Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng) MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Court of Appeals said Friday it will not step in and delay the upcoming murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd. Chauvin is scheduled to go to trial on March 8. State prosecutors, led by…

Update: Judge Declines New Arrest Warrant for Kyle Rittenhouse

(courtesy: Kenosha County Court via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A judge is refusing prosecutors’ request to issue a new arrest warrant for an 18-year-old from Illinois who’s accused of killing two people and wounding a third during a Wisconsin police brutality protest last summer. Prosecutors in Kenosha County asked Judge Bruce Schroeder to issue a new warrant for Kyle…