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Conviction reversed in case of MN woman who was killed
“The error was not harmless because it cannot be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the error had no significant impact on the verdict,” the justices wrote.
ST PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday reversed the convictions of the alleged ringleader of a plot to kidnap and kill a real estate agent, marking the second time the high court has ordered a new trial for a defendant convicted in her death.
The justices said that the trial judge gave the jury erroneous legal instructions on the liability of accomplices that might have affected its findings that Lyndon Akeem Wiggins was guilty of first-degree premeditated murder, kidnapping and other counts in the New Year’s Eve 2019 killing of Monique Baugh.
The Supreme Court in January also cited faulty jury instructions when it threw out the convictions of Elsa Segura, a former probation officer. Prosecutors say Segura lured Baugh to a phony home showing in the Minneapolis suburb of Maple Grove, where she was kidnapped.
Baugh was found shot to death in a Minneapolis alley in the early hours of 2020. Prosecutors said she was killed in a complicated scheme aimed at getting revenge against Baugh’s boyfriend, Jon Mitchell-Momoh, a recording artist who had a falling out with Wiggins, a former music business associate of his, who was also a drug dealer. Baugh’s boyfriend, whom Wiggins allegedly considered a snitch, was also shot but survived.
The Supreme Court earlier affirmed the convictions of two other defendants who were accused of kidnapping Baugh. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill sentenced all four to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In its ruling Wednesday, the Supreme Court said the jury instructions for both Wiggins and Baugh, who got separate trials, misstated the law on accomplice liability because the instructions did not specifically require the jury to find either one criminally liable for someone else’s actions in order to find them guilty.
“The error was not harmless because it cannot be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the error had no significant impact on the verdict,” the justices wrote. The court ordered a new trial.
However, the justices rejected Wiggins’ argument the search warrant for his cellphone lacked probable cause.
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MINNEAPOLIS — Making pasta at home is relatively simple, as long as you have the right tools.
October is National Pasta Month and Red Rabbit‘s Corporate Chef, Adam Lerner, joined KARE 11 Saturday to show us how to make homemade noodles in the confines of your own kitchen.
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Talking about life-changing events like illness, injury and aging isn’t always pleasant, but avoiding those conversations can make things much harder when they do happen.
A Twin Cities couple is trying to help spur important discussions with a new interactive workbook called “Family Conversations We Must Have But Do Not Want To.” Lisa White, a registered nurse and Michael White, a licensed nursing home administrator and assisted living director, wrote the workbook to steer individuals, seniors, couples and families toward making life decisions so they’re on the same page.
The Whites visited KARE 11 Saturday to talk about the book and the personal story that had them struggling in the search for answers to important questions.
Kona Grill bartender, Charli Gonzalez, joined KARE 11 Saturday to mix up the drinks.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Those looking for some spooky cocktails to celebrate Halloween should check out Kona Grill in either their Eden Prairie or Minnetonka locations.
Three new festive cocktails are on their menu and Kona Grill bartender, Charli Gonzalez, joined KARE 11 Saturday to share the recipes.
The cocktails are available until November 2. One dollar from each cocktail sold will benefit Breast Cancer research organizations.
The Poisoned Apple
- 1 oz Liquid Alchemist Blood Orange Syrup
- 1 oz Jim Beam Bourbon
- Top off with Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider
Glassware: 9 oz Bucket Glass
Garnish: Cinnamon Sugar Rim
Prep: Add Blood Orange and Jim Beam to a shaker with ice. Strain over fresh ice into the glass. Fill with Angry Orchard and stir.
The Black Widow
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.25 oz agave
- 0.75 oz Cointreau
- Big pinch of black luster dust
- 1.5 oz Patron Silver
Garnish: Half Black Salt Rim
Prep: add all ingredients to a shaker with ice, vigorously shake and strain into a glass.
The Green Intensity
- 0.25 real lychee puree
- 0.5 oz St. Germain
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- Green Luster dust
- 2 oz Bombay Sapphire
Garnish: lychee and Luxardo cherry
Prep: add all ingredients into a shake with ice, vigorously shake, and strain into a martini glass
