MN - Justine Damond, 40, fatally shot by Minneapolis LE, 15 July 2017 #2

[Betty P]

Justine Damond Ruszczyk: Why was an Australian woman shot dead by police in Minneapolis?
ABC News (Australia)
Published on Nov 20, 2017

‘Sydney woman Justine Damond Ruszczyk was living in Minneapolis and weeks away from her wedding when she was shot dead by a US police officer in shocking circumstances that are yet to be explained.

On the night of July 15, the former vet-turned-meditation teacher was home alone when she called 911 to report what she thought was a sexual assault taking place in the laneway behind her house.

When the police car arrived, she went outside - only to be shot dead by one of the police officers, Mohamed Noor, who was seated inside the vehicle.

In this Australian Story exclusive, we meet Justine’s Australian family and travel to Minnesota to speak to her fiancé Don Damond, and her friends and neighbours, as they search for answers and seek justice for Justine.’

Watch episode at:

[video=youtube;ERgx3kkFIjk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=2s&v=ERgx3kkFIjk[/video]

Great reporting. I'm glad everyone is keeping this story in the news, preventing it from being buried and forgotten by LE. There really was no excuse for her death, no reason for the officer to even have his gun drawn, let alone use it to kill her.

 

[Jennifer17]

Great reporting. I'm glad everyone is keeping this story in the news, preventing it from being buried and forgotten by LE. There really was no excuse for her death, no reason for the officer to even have his gun drawn, let alone use it to kill her.

We never used to hear about US police shootings in Australia, but since Justine's death, every single one shooting of an unarmed person by US police, makes the news here, with a burb about Justine at the end of it.

 

[turaj]

We never used to hear about US police shootings in Australia, but since Justine's death, every single one shooting of an unarmed person by US police, makes the news here, with a burb about Justine at the end of it.

Just checking back here and despite living in Minneapolis I can say there is zero news about a pending decision...nothing. I so feel for this family. My own personal belief which is shared by others around here is they will release their decision very close to Christmas or in between Christmas and New Years hoping that people will be too busy with family and friends to have a reaction. They said before the New Year and honestly I can't imagine they don't know right now what they will do. And the fact that it is taking this long leads me to the belief that they are going to not charge Noor and his partner but they will not be on the police force anymore. And I can't wait for the family to go after them in civil court at least Noor.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Does anyone know if the officer has even been questioned yet?

 

[Bohemian]

Does anyone know if the officer has even been questioned yet?

Not AFAIK:

’Since the incident, Noor has refused to answer investigators' questions over what caused him to fire his weapon at Damond, reportedly citing the fifth amendment of the United States' Constitution’

http://m.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017...aiting-for-justice-over-her-death_a_23282669/

 

[thefragile7393]

Not AFAIK:

’Since the incident, Noor has refused to answer investigators' questions over what caused him to fire his weapon at Damond, reportedly citing the fifth amendment of the United States' Constitution’

http://m.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017...aiting-for-justice-over-her-death_a_23282669/

Smh wow. Just wow

 

[PrairieWind]

Smh wow. Just wow

From a legal standpoint that is neither unusual or surprising. He is following the advise of his attorney clearly.

 

[Cobra Jet]

I don’t have a problem with him doing that, it’s his right but I can’t imagine that if a regular citizen refused to answer questions that the police would wait months to charge him. They have evidence that he shot and killed her and he is offering nothing to explain his actions.
Can someone cite a single case where a suspect who is neither wealthy or powerful refused to answer a single question and the police let them run around free for months?

 

[KaaBoom]

I don’t have a problem with him doing that, it’s his right but I can’t imagine that if a regular citizen refused to answer questions that the police would wait months to charge him. They have evidence that he shot and killed her and he is offering nothing to explain his actions.
Can someone cite a single case where a suspect who is neither wealthy or powerful refused to answer a single question and the police let them run around free for months?

I think a good comparison would be the death of Sherin Mathews in Texas, at the hands of her parents. The girl's father incriminated himself and was charged in a few days. After some initial cooperation the mother lawyered up. She was charged about 41 days later. I can't think of any cops who have ever been charged that quickly. Most investigations of LEOs generally take about one to two years.

 

[jjenny]

I don’t have a problem with him doing that, it’s his right but I can’t imagine that if a regular citizen refused to answer questions that the police would wait months to charge him. They have evidence that he shot and killed her and he is offering nothing to explain his actions.
Can someone cite a single case where a suspect who is neither wealthy or powerful refused to answer a single question and the police let them run around free for months?

And nobody is disputing he is the one who shot her dead. One would think that in order to prevent arrest, at the very least he would have to claim he was fearing for his life when he shot her. I guess in this case one would be wrong.And still no charges even though no one is disputing he shot and killed her.

 

[Cobra Jet]

I thought the police liked to put pressure on the suspect. At least that's the way they do it on a crime drama or in the movies. Sorry for the example but in my limited experience the police don't let average Joe just sit at home for a year before even questioning them. If a suspect don't want to cooperate they should arrest them.
Is it no wonder that some don't trust the police. Remember this is coming from someone that supports the police, but I understand peoples frustration with the system.

We need to do a better job of acting fair with everyone!

 

[PrairieWind]

Since Noor has retained an attorney and declined to give a statement (which is his right), if law enforcement puts too much pressure on him to evoke a statement, they run the risk of tainting the case. What we don't know is if Noor made a statement right after the shooting to supervisors, etc. Having said all that, I do think it has taken an awful long time for the District Attorney office to decide on charges. I can't imagine there is any evidence still to come in.

 

[CoolJ]

Since Noor has retained an attorney and declined to give a statement (which is his right), if law enforcement puts too much pressure on him to evoke a statement, they run the risk of tainting the case. What we don't know is if Noor made a statement right after the shooting to supervisors, etc. Having said all that, I do think it has taken an awful long time for the District Attorney office to decide on charges. I can't imagine there is any evidence still to come in.

As a LE officer who used deadly force on a citizen, he should be absolutely required to make a statement. If he can’t make a statement, then how do we know it was anything other than murder. Apparently he is not even claiming it was justifiable. He should have been charged with 1st degree murder the minute he refused to give a statement. JMO

 

[Bohemian]

Minneapolis braces for decision over Justine Damond's fatal shooting
SBS News (Australia)
Updated 1 hour ago (as at 11:12 AEDT 11 December 2017)

‘Heartbroken family, friends and supporters of Australian life coach Justine Damond are bracing for the announcement of whether the US police officer who shot her dead in an alley will be charged.

The Minneapolis prosecutor who will make the decision, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, has said he would make a decision before the end of the year.’

‘"There's going to be a reaction from certain segments in the community regardless of what decision is made," Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune newspaper.’

‘Somali-born Officer Noor has declined to be interviewed by investigators.

The large Somali community in Minneapolis is also bracing for a decision.

In September, the Minneapolis police union, after months of silence, stepped in after Mr Freeman told a town hall meeting the shooting did not have to happen.

"We want an assurance that Noor will not be charged simply on the basis of Damond's status as a fine young woman in a nice neighbourhood," police union boss Lieutenant Bob Kroll wrote in a letter published in the Star-Tribune.’

Read more at:

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/minneapolis-braces-for-decision-over-justine-damond-s-fatal-shooting

Related:

http://m.startribune.com/police-brace-for-backlash-on-noor-decision-whatever-s-decided/463073423/

http://m.startribune.com/search-of-...-scrutiny-in-southwest-minneapolis/440401093/

 

[Bohemian]

Protest groups in Minneapolis to hold rally over decision in police shooting of Justine Damond
AAP, News Corp Australia Network
December 14, 2017 12:29pm

‘TENSION is building in Minneapolis with groups including Justice for Justine and Black Lives Matter announcing a street rally will be held whether the police officer who shot dead Australian life coach Justine Damond is charged or not.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, who will decide if Officer Mohamed Noor is charged, has indicated he will make a decision before the end of the year.

Mr Freeman has not signalled a specific date.

Ms Damond’s neighbours, friends and members of Justice for Justine and groups including Black Lives Matter, Blue Li[v]es Matter and Communities United have announced they will stage a rally on the day Mr Freeman makes the highly-anticipated decision or the following day.

The rally will be held at 6.30pm near Ms Damond’s home on 50th St & Washburn Ave, Minneapolis.’

Read more at:

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/n...d/news-story/f748ad9702a479b2c3f477c0cb3ab6c9

 

[grammieto5]

So Mr. Freeman did not give a specific date. Did he by any chance give a specific year?

 

[Gardenista]

Freeman: I Can’t Charge MPD Officer Yet In Damond’s Shooting Death

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) — Hennepin County’s attorney said he does not have enough evidence yet to file charges against the Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed an Australian woman last summer.

Mike Freeman was attending the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation holiday party Wednesday night when he was confronted by members of the group Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar.

In a video recorded by one of the members, Freeman expresses frustration with the lack of cooperation from Minneapolis police in the investigation of Justine Damond’s killing on the night of July 15.

“Let me just say it’s not my fault. So, if it isn’t my fault, who didn’t do their job? It’s called investigators. They don’t work for me,” Freeman said.

“[Noor] won’t answer my questions and he doesn’t have to,” Freeman said in the video. “We all have Fifth Amendment rights and I respect that. So, I can’t talk to her because she’s gone. And the other cop just gave us s–t.”

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2017/12/14/freeman-no-noor-charges/

 

[PrairieWind]

Freeman: I Can’t Charge MPD Officer Yet In Damond’s Shooting Death

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) — Hennepin County’s attorney said he does not have enough evidence yet to file charges against the Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed an Australian woman last summer.

Mike Freeman was attending the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation holiday party Wednesday night when he was confronted by members of the group Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar.

In a video recorded by one of the members, Freeman expresses frustration with the lack of cooperation from Minneapolis police in the investigation of Justine Damond’s killing on the night of July 15.

“Let me just say it’s not my fault. So, if it isn’t my fault, who didn’t do their job? It’s called investigators. They don’t work for me,” Freeman said.

“[Noor] won’t answer my questions and he doesn’t have to,” Freeman said in the video. “We all have Fifth Amendment rights and I respect that. So, I can’t talk to her because she’s gone. And the other cop just gave us s–t.”

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2017/12/14/freeman-no-noor-charges/

That is total crap. He has the evidence, he just doesn't want to prosecute so he is just scapegoating the police. My opinion is that this signals that no charges will be brought at all.

 

[jjenny]

What evidence does he need? The cop shot her and she is dead.
If his guy wasn't a cop would he still be bemoaning there is no evidence?

 

[MyBelle]

What evidence does he need? The cop shot her and she is dead.
If his guy wasn't a cop would he still be bemoaning there is no evidence?

LE gathered the evidence. It should be given to a grand jury to decide whether Noor should be prosecuted. The prosecutor needs to be voted out of office.