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Cobb family accuses lawmakers of politicizing Londregan case
Cobb family lawyers accused state leaders, including Gov. Walz, of “trying to influence an active prosecution” by suggesting the case be reassigned from Moriarty.
MINNEAPOLIS — Editor’s note: The video above first aired on KARE 11 on March 19, 2024.
The family of Ricky Cobb Jr. is pleading with Minnesota lawmakers to stay out of the murder case centered around Cobb, a 33-year-old Black man, who was killed by Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan during a traffic stop in 2023.
The office of Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty charged Londregan with second-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault stemming from Cobb’s July 2023 shooting death.
In a statement, the Cobb family’s lawyers accused state leaders, including Gov. Tim Walz, of “trying to influence an active prosecution” by potentially reassigning the case from Moriarty, a request initially made by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officer’s Association (MPPOA).
“This family has one ask: that this be treated like any other murder case. We call on Governor Walz to put justice before politics and let County Attorney Moriarty bring this prosecution without any further interference,” the family’s statement read, in part. “Reassigning this case would create a clear conflict of interests and removing it from the County Attorney should not be an option. Mr. Cobb’s family has suffered enough. They don’t deserve this too.”
Those who support the action to reassign the case argue Moriarty wasn’t transparent in her initial investigation, choosing to charge Londregan despite her use-of-force expert’s opinion that Londregan acted responsibly.
“In a case like this, transparency is king,” Walz said to reporters at a press conference last week. “I listen to people, whether on health issues or law — I’m not a lawyer myself — but as a layman on this, why would you not listen to a use-of-force expert? Why would that not be central to something you would do?”
In response to the governor’s remarks, Democratic Rep. Angie Craig (CD2) supported the notion to reassign the case.
“I’m hearing from constituents and local leaders in my district, and it’s clear to me that it’s time for state leaders to take over or reassign the Trooper Londregan case from the Hennepin County Attorney’s office,” Craig said in a statement. “Minnesotans deserve to have confidence in our state’s criminal justice process, and recent disclosures in this case have seriously damaged that process. This action would help restore public confidence and ensure an objective review of the case is completed.”
Craig’s Democratic colleague Rep. Dean Phillips (CD3) agreed with Craig, saying, “In light of the circumstances, I believe it’s in the best interests of our community and justice for the case to be transferred to Attorney General [Keith] Ellison.”
Phillips and Craig joined Minnesota’s Republican delegation, including Reps. Fischbach (CD7), Emmer CD6), Stauber (CD8) and Finstad (CD1), who penned a joint letter to the governor also calling for him to reassign the case.”
“Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has weaponized her position against law enforcement,” the letter read, in part. “She ignored an independent use-of-force expert chosen by her own office, who stated that Trooper Londregan acted as a “reasonable officer” would have. The fact that Trooper Londregan is still being charged with second-degree murder, along with other charges, after this statement from the prosecution’s own expert can lead us to only one conclusion; this prosecution is politically motivated.”
While Walz hasn’t said which way he’ll decide on the case, he does unequivocally have the legal authority to remove a case from a prosecutor, just as he did last year in the high-profile murder case of Zaria McKeever.
Moriarty’s office maintains its team has been “extremely thorough” during the investigation, and welcomed the opportunity to sit down with Walz and his team to discuss their concerns.
“Like in every case, we have been extremely thorough in this investigation and we will continue to be as we prepare this case for a potential trial. We would be happy to meet with the Governor or his team to discuss any concerns they have about the rules of criminal procedure — the same rules our office follows and fulfills in thousands of cases every year. Otherwise, we will litigate this case in court, which is where it belongs.”
Londregan’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 29.
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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.
Head to the Marcus West End Cinema to see some of this year’s up-and-coming movies.
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — Editor’s Note: This video originally aired on Oct. 12, 2024.
Just in time for Halloween, the Twin Cities Film Fest has arrived and it features a movie perfect for spooky season.
“Don’t Move” will screen as part of the festival at 5:45 p.m. on Friday. Home grown directors Brian Netto and Adam Schindler visited KARE 11 News at Noon to share more about the showing.
The film is a thriller about a woman who is injected with a paralytic agent in a forest. She must fight for her life as her body slowly shuts down, according to a Twin Cities Film Fest release.
Netto and Schindler met at Woodbury Elementary School and have remained friends to this day. This will be their third film shown at the fest.
Tickets are $13 and you can learn more about this movie at this link. All film festival movies will be screened at the Marcus West End Cinema in St. Louis Park .
PRINCETON, Minn. — As many families fell on hard times due to hurricanes Helene and Milton, their pets have suffered too.
Ruff Start Rescue, headquartered in Princeton, Minn., rescued 24 animals from areas in Tennessee and North Carolina that were hit by hurricanes. Azure Davis, the founder and executive director, visited the KARE 11 studio to share more about these animals and how you can help.
For more information on Ruff Start Rescue and to look at adoptable animals, click here.
