Star Tribune
AG Ellison sues gun maker Glock over design that makes them easily converted into automatic weapons
“It’s obvious what the problem is, it’s switches,” O’Hara said.
Switches and fully automatic guns are already illegal in Minnesota, but still easy to obtain or make. “Why not go upstream,” Ellison said. “Why not stop the problem?”
This Glock handgun equipped with a machine gun conversion device, also referred to as a “switch,” was found during Raquan Rahjai Johnson’s arrest on June 8. But, according to charges, he also allegedly possessed the same gun when he was arrested for selling drugs as a juvenile more than a year earlier. (Montemayor, Stephen)
Ellison said he is seeking both regulatory relief from the courts and monetary damages from the courts. He didn’t specify an amount.
Glock’s owned by an Austrian parent company with U.S. headquarters in Smyrna, Ga. The company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
A similar lawsuit was filed in New Jersey state courts on Thursday. Ellison is hopeful other states will sue as the matter advances in court. “People will see these cases are viable, important and they save lives,” he said.
This is a breaking news story. Come back to Startribune.com for more updates.
Star Tribune
Family of Olivia Flores files wrongful-death suit against ex-trooper
Weeks after what would have been Olivia Flores’ 19th birthday, her family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the former Minnesota state trooper involved in the May crash that killed her.
In the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court, Carlos and Stephanie Flores allege that Shane Roper, 32, “consciously disregarded” the safety of others when he crashed his car into a vehicle occupied by their daughter outside Rochester’s Apache Mall on May 18. Olivia Flores died the next day from blunt-force injuries to her head and torso. Five others were seriously injured in the three-car wreck.
Video from the dashcam and body-worn camera show Roper did not have his emergency signals activated as he accelerated to 83 mph — twice the posted speed limit — just before reaching the intersection.
“Roper’s conscious disregard for the health, safety, and substantive due process rights of Ms. Flores, and others, constitutes criminal recklessness and deliberate indifference,” lawyers for the family wrote. “Such indifference shocks the conscience under the specific circumstances of this case.”
The Flores family is seeking “compensatory damages, general damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs” from Roper. Attorneys for the family declined to say the specific amount they are seeking.
In addition to the civil suit, Roper faces nine criminal charges, including felony charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide, for his role in the fatal wreck. Roper has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is due back in court in February.
Roper was fired from the patrol in early September after an internal investigation found there was “no justification” for the way he was driving at the time of the crash. The report said his conduct was “reckless” and reflected “discredit on the agency.”
The fatal crash was the latest in a series of on-duty crashes involving Roper. Patrol records show Roper had been reprimanded on four occasions for reckless driving dating to 2019. Two of the incidents led to one-day suspensions, while the others resulted in written reprimands.
Star Tribune
The top high school boys basketball teams in Minnesota
Alexandria’s pain was felt throughout Hopkins High School’s gymnasium.
The Clemson commit left because of a right shoulder injury after a Raiders basket pulled them within 48-43 with 12:25 remaining. He returned two minutes later with the lead down to one at 50-49. Thompson made a difference defensively as the Cardinals scored six unanswered points, but writhed in pain every time he touched the ball on offense. He exited for good with 8:53 remaining.
Three days later, Alexandria dropped an 81-76 decision to No. 5 Sauk Rapids-Rice (3-0) without the services of Thompson.
Records through Wednesday, Dec. 11. Teams are Class 4A unless noted.
1. Cretin-Derham Hall (3-0). Last week’s ranking: No. 1
2. Hopkins (3-0). Last week: No. 3
3. Orono (Class 3A, 2-0). Last week: No. 7
Star Tribune
3 from MN among 1,500 granted clemency from President Joe Biden
Three Minnesotans are among the roughly 1,500 granted clemency Thursday by President Joe Biden in the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.
Clemency is the term for the power the president has to pardon, in which a person is relieved of guilt and punishment, or to commute a sentence, which reduces or eliminates the punishment but doesn’t exonerate the wrongdoing.
Those pardoned Thursday had been convicted of nonviolent crimes such as drug offenses and turned their lives around, White House lawyers said.
Here are details spelled out by the White House for each of the three Minnesotans and a woman from western Wisconsin:
Kelsie Lynn Becklin, 38, Falcon Heights: Becklin pleaded guilty to a nonviolent offense at age 21. After successfully serving her sentence, she furthered her education and recently completed a Ph.D. program. In addition to her graduate program research and academic writing, she mentors previously incarcerated individuals who also seek to pursue higher education. She is also an active volunteer in her community. “Friends and professors attest to her work ethic, dedication and genuine care for others.”
Sarah Jean Carlson, 49, Coon Rapids: Carlson pleaded guilty to a nonviolent offense and received early termination of her probationary sentence. Since then, she has furthered her education and worked in addiction counseling at a faith-based rehabilitation center. Carlson also volunteers in her local community and at her church. “Community members emphasize that she goes above and beyond to help as many people in crisis as possible.”
Lashawn Marrvinia Walker, 51, of Minneapolis: Walker pleaded guilty to nonviolent drug offenses in her 20s. She received early termination of her probationary sentence for her exemplary probation record. Since then, Walker has worked in the healthcare field, is an engaged parent, and regularly assists others in her community, including during the holidays when she helps serve dinner at a retirement home. “People in her community describe Ms. Walker as caring, good-hearted, and responsible. They also note her willingness to meaningfully help others.”
The list also includes one person from western Wisconsin: