Minneapolis Police Shoot Unarmed Woman In Pajamas — With Bodycams Off

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Urgh. I'm furious about this.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman has said that he won't call a grand jury and will "make the decision himself" to prosecute...if he doesn't he's completely screwed in 2018. Absolutely no way I will vote for him if he doesn't (not that I'm currently likely to vote for him granted.)

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Very strange situation.
It seems that the officer who shot the women was in the passenger seat of the squad car, and shot
through the driver side window.

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Well I must say I'm quite happy that in my part of south Minneapolis people don't shoot guns in the direction of hearing a loud sound because then it might as well be Sarejevo circa 1994.

And if that's your first reaction to such a thing especially in such a place then you really shouldn't be a cop to put it mildly.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

The Minneapolis police chief just resigned. This is big.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

The Minneapolis police chief just resigned. This is big.

Confused why. This was a rogue officer, and the department doesn't seem to have a history of these incidents.

Actually it appears that Mayor Betsy Hodges basically told her "resign or I fire you". Here's her statement:



Oh did I mention that Hodges is up for reelection this year? And here's what one of her opponents said:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/21/us/minneapolis-police-chief-resigns-days-after-officer-fatally-shot-a-woman.html

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...doubt this will save her though. Prior to this I would've rated Hodges as favored to be reelected, now I'd say she's favored to lose (she might still be the most likely candidate to win with a plurality of the percentage of a chance though, and Levy-Pounds is still a real longshot.)

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

So some more details: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-march-honors-life-woman-killed-officer-48768811

So chronological summary:

-Big march today to honor Damond
-A bunch on the city council called for former police chief Janee Harteau to be dismissed.
-Michele Bachmann said something stupid.
-City Council members want Harteau gone some more, say that she hasn't adequately responded to questions about police training and the like.
-Investigators interviewed a man who was seen cycling in the area when Damond was shot and may be a possible witness.
-Harteau resigns.
(This by the way should shed some light on why so many are angry about her handling of this:)

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-Hodges held a press conference and protesters shouted her down, many calling for her resignation as well.
-The head of the Minneapolis police union said that Harteau should've resigned...and Hodges should be next.
-Hodges said she will not resign.

Hodges is VERY lucky that IRV was passed. Prior to it, Minneapolis used a French style runoff system. The first round would be held in September, the same day that Minnesota holds a primary, with the top two advancing to November, however IRV has rendered the first round unnecessary, thus only vote is held in November.

Under the old system with the vote not too far away, she'd stand a good chance of failing the top two, however since it's very likely this will have blown over and Noor will be charged by then, she can still survive in November. I wouldn't bet on it though.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I have little doubt that Mike Freeman will aggressively pursue charges, he's up in 2018 and if he doesn't he's going to both lose big time amongst both urban liberals and conservatives (and yes there are quite a few conservatives in the jurisdiction. Remember he's the Hennepin County Attorney, not Minneapolis Attorney.)

The Minneapolis PD has required that cameras be turned on when responding to any such call since last year, and I'd be willing to wager that any cop who shot across his partner even if no one was killed or even hit would be in HUGE trouble, although if no one was killed probably not criminal charges but just being fired from the force. But regardless, this is kind of a slam dunk, if Freeman doesn't charge or loses this case he's completely screwed.