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Minnesota prosecutors sued the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies on Saturday, to protect local law enforcement access to evidence in the death of Alex Pretti. Their Minnesota federal court lawsuit alleges that federal agents blocked local law enforcement’s early investigative efforts.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Hennepin County Attorney’s Office alleged in their lawsuit that federal officials’ “apparent determination to deny State and local law enforcement access to relevant evidence is contrary to core principles of federalism” in the Constitution. (Federalism “refers “the division and sharing of power between the national and state governments.”
“As is typical of an officer-involved shooting involving a federal officer, BCA personnel headed to the scene to investigate the incident,” the suit said. “But federal personnel purported to order Minnesota law enforcement to leave, denying them immediate access to critical evidence necessary to investigate crimes under state law.”
“According to reports, federal personnel apparently seized cell phones and detained witnesses. It is unclear whether federal personnel otherwise processed the scene—let alone how carefully,” the suit further alleges. “Then just a few hours after the shooting, federal personnel left, allowing the perimeter to collapse and potentially spoiling evidence.”
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Minnesota prosecutors sued the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies on Saturday, to protect local law enforcement access to evidence in the death of Alex Pretti. Their Minnesota federal court lawsuit alleges that federal agents blocked local law enforcement’s early investigative efforts.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Hennepin County Attorney’s Office alleged in their lawsuit that federal officials’ “apparent determination to deny State and local law enforcement access to relevant evidence is contrary to core principles of federalism” in the Constitution. (Federalism “refers “the division and sharing of power between the national and state governments.”
“As is typical of an officer-involved shooting involving a federal officer, BCA personnel headed to the scene to investigate the incident,” the suit said. “But federal personnel purported to order Minnesota law enforcement to leave, denying them immediate access to critical evidence necessary to investigate crimes under state law.”
“According to reports, federal personnel apparently seized cell phones and detained witnesses. It is unclear whether federal personnel otherwise processed the scene—let alone how carefully,” the suit further alleges. “Then just a few hours after the shooting, federal personnel left, allowing the perimeter to collapse and potentially spoiling evidence.”
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