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Mary Moriarty issues own interpretation of school safety law
Mary Moriarty offered a different interpretation to police chiefs in Hennepin County given her “office’s jurisdiction to review cases and make charging decisions.”
MINNEAPOLIS — A week after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued a legal interpretation clarifying the new law affecting school resource officers in Minnesota, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has sent police chiefs in the county her own interpretation, differing on key issues.
The chiefs received the letter from Moriarty Wednesday night, in which she acknowledged many of them wanted to hear directly from her after Ellison issued his opinion.
She wrote, “Given our office’s jurisdiction to review cases and make charging decisions in Hennepin County, we do think it important to provide insight on our interpretation of this new statutory language.”
Moriarty’s key departure from Ellison’s guidance is that she believes the statute change does not allow school resource officers to use “reasonable force” except “where it is necessary to prevent bodily harm or death to a child or another person.”
Many departments, such as Brooklyn Park Police, specifically pulled resource officers out of schools because they were not clear on how an SRO would be allowed to handle a disruptive student in cases where bodily harm or death were not imminent.
“The county attorney talks frequently with Hennepin County chiefs and has developed a trusting, open, and transparent relationship with them,” a representative from Moriarty’s office said in a statement. “They know they can ask her questions directly and seek her guidance, and that the county attorney will be direct and honest in response, even as they recognize we cannot provide their departments with legal advice.”
Ellison assuaged many concerns on Sep. 20 when he wrote that the new law “does not limit the types of reasonable force that officers can use to carry out their lawful duties.”
Prior to Ellison’s clarification, Brooklyn Park Police Inspector Elliot Faust said their officers feared prosecution by Moriarty’s office because they were aware she disagreed with the attorney general at some level.
While the attorney general’s opinion is legally binding, Moriarty pointed out in the letter that a judge could decide otherwise if a school resource officer is charged with a crime.
“Even the Attorney General’s opinions are binding only until reviewed by a court, which could occur in the context of a criminal prosecution,” Moriarty wrote.
Late Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office released this statement:
“As the County Attorney concedes, only the Attorney General’s opinion is binding under state law. Her interpretation is not.”
Brian Peters, the executive director for the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA), sent a letter Friday to members calling for an “urgent legislative fix” in response to Moriarty’s interpretation.
“The new guidance from Hennepin County Attorney Moriarty makes it crystal clear the only was to adequately address this issue and return school officers to school is an urgent immediate fix,” wrote Peters.
On Thursday, the Eagan and White Bear Lake police departments announced that they would be resuming their SRO programs. In his letter, Peters urged members to work with the city and county attorneys, as well as their union representatives.
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Donald Edmondson suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest at his north-side apartment building on Nov. 24, 2023.
MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis man who pleaded guilty to entering another man’s apartment and shooting him to death last year was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office released a statement saying 59-year-old Walter Hill was sentenced on second-degree intentional murder charges in 60-year-old Donald Edmondson’s November 2023 killing.
Prosecutors said Hill was given 337 days of credit for time already served.
“Mr. Edmondson should still be alive,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement. “A violent act committed with such disregard by Mr. Hill has taken him from his family. This sentence delivers accountability and protects our community, and I hope it brings some measure of peace to Mr. Edmondson’s loved ones as they attempt to move forward with their lives.”
According to police, Edmondson suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest at his north-side apartment building on Nov. 24, 2023.
The attorney’s office said Hill entered his guilty plea Monday.
Turns out, Twin Cities realtor and billboard personality Kris Lindahl is in on the joke.
MINNEAPOLIS — The makers of the video game “Call of Duty” launched a new, locally inspired campaign Friday, coinciding with the release of the franchise’s newest installment, “Black Ops 6.”
Motorists might notice real estate agent Kris Lindahl, famously seen with his arms out over every interstate in town, was replaced by *ahem* “The Replacer,” an Activision character played by actor Peter Stormare.
For the next few weeks, The Replacer will step in for Lindahl not only on billboards but also on advertisements across television, streaming and social media platforms.
But why does Lindahl need The Replacer’s help, you might ask?
So he’s free to play “Black Ops 6,” of course.
The Replacer isn’t new to Minnesota. He also once stepped into the shoes of Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards.
Reverend Shawn Morrison, founder and executive director of Good in the ‘Hood, shares his project to connect humanity through stories.
MINNEAPOLIS — In the busy intersections of life, some moments are often overlooked, while others are ignored.
Reverend Shawn Morrison, founder and executive director of Good in the ‘Hood, sees these intersections as opportunities for connecting and understanding.
“Three years ago, I just got a heart for this,” Morrison said, explaining that overlooking these moments was never an option. “Some might say it’s a calling that I was just compelled,” he shared, describing his deep motivation.
This project, “Will You See Me?” shares stories of people who are often unseen, aiming to create connections and build empathy. With each story, photograph and encounter, the team hopes to bring dignity and significance to every life they touch.
Ultimately, they plan to compile these stories and images into a book to serve as a powerful testament to the human experience.
“How can we not make it just an excursion but an encounter? How can we give dignity and significance a listening ear of understanding?” Morrison asked, hoping the project fosters empathy through shared narratives.
One participant, Wade Smith, reflected on the range of life experiences among the project’s subjects.
“I went to radio and television broadcasting school, yeah, and then I went to the service,” Smith shared.
Morrison’s approach includes photographing and recording participants’ words, preserving their voices authentically.
After initial challenges finding collaborators, Shawn Nielsen, owner of Nielsen Studios, and Elizabeth Korth, owner of Narrative Nuance, joined Morrison in his mission. Together, they approach individuals directly, offering respect, gift cards and a chance to be truly seen.
“People don’t even look at me,” Smith said. “It’s a problem for all Americans.”
Through each encounter, Morrison hopes to leave lasting impressions.
“I’m hoping that the people of our community start to see things differently, and they might ask this question, ‘What can I do?’” Morrison said.
Dre Woods, another participant, spoke about his family and dreams. Woods asked for help to take care of his four-legged companion, Oreo.
“I’m trying to feed her, right? That’s my baby,” Woods shared, revealing the motivations that guide him.
Dozens of stories and plenty of surprises, all things that give an often unshared perspective.
“I be asking God what it is why I’m still here. A lot of my friends not hear no more and I think about that,” Woods said.
Each interaction serves as a reminder of humanity’s shared connections.
“I think that it would encourage someone to do just something once. Each person could do something one day at a time, to be profound,” Nielsen said.
For Morrison, these stories are part of a larger mission.
“Boy, has there been a rest of the story for some of these beautiful people,” he said, hoping to inspire others to view their communities with fresh eyes.
Each moment and interaction serves as a call to action: look closer; adjust the community’s vision; and see the intersection they pass by more clearly — as part of their own destination.
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