Connect with us

Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis man resentenced for role as teen in murder of mother and son, now eligible for parole

Published

on

Minneapolis man resentenced for role as teen in murder of mother and son, now eligible for parole


A Minneapolis man serving a life prison sentence without parole for his role as a teen in a grisly double-murder of a mother and son was resentenced Friday, paving the way for his possible release.

Brian Lee Flowers, now 32, and his friend Stafon Thompson were convicted as teens for murdering 35-year-old Katricia Daniels and her 10-year-old son, Robert Shepard, in their duplex in Minneapolis’ Kingfield neighborhood in 2008. The slayings were gruesome: Daniels was stabbed nearly 200 times and a television bludgeoned Shepard. Flowers, then 16, played a lesser role than Thompson, who was 17, according to his defense team and the Minnesota Supreme Court, and has been fighting for post-conviction relief.

Following a series of state and federal law changes on the prosecution of juveniles, most recently last year in Minnesota, Flowers’ team litigated nearly a decade for resentencing. Instead of consecutive sentences for the murders, Hennepin County Judge William Koch resentenced Flowers to concurrent life sentences Friday.

Under the new law, Flowers is eligible after serving 15 years in prison. As he has already served over 15 years, he is eligible for a parole hearing now. Scheduling of that process is up to the Minnesota Department of Corrections, said Ramsey County Attorney’s office spokesperson Dennis Gerhardstein. The office handled the case after it was transferred there because of a personal conflict of interest by Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, a former public defender.

Advertisement

Attorneys for Flowers, University of Minnesota Law Professor Perry Moriearty and Mitchell-Hamline Law Professor Brad Colbert released the following statement on behalf of Flowers following Koch’s new sentencing order:

“It is impossible to overstate the gravity of the trauma, grief, and loss caused by the murders of Katricia Daniels and Robert Shephard. Brian takes full responsibility for and deeply regrets his role in the events of that night,” the statement said. “Brian was 16 years old at the time of the murders. He is grateful that both the State and the Court have recognized his youth and — as did the Minnesota Supreme Court — his lesser culpability in these events. Brian has now been incarcerated for almost 16 years, and he is not the same person he was in 2008. He knows that there is nothing he can say or do to change what happened, but Brian will spend the rest of his life trying to make amends. He is so deeply sorry.”

In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life sentences for juveniles without parole are unconstitutional.

Flowers was eligible for resentencing and his case came back to Hennepin County District Court in 2015, with years of legal back and forth between prosecutors who wish to keep Flowers incarcerated, and Flowers’ attorney, who maintains he was less culpable in the killings and should be eligible for eventual release.

More than a decade after the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Minnesota became the 28th state to abolish juvenile life without parole. The change offers most prisoners serving sentences of 15 years or more for juvenile offenses the chance to appear before a review board, which will determine whether they can safely be released.

Advertisement

Approximately 40 people would be eligible for review once the panel is up and running this summer.

This is a developing story. Check back at startribune.com for updates.



Source link

Advertisement

Minneapolis, MN

Truck driver dead after crash sends Metro Transit bus into home in south Minneapolis

Published

on

Truck driver dead after crash sends Metro Transit bus into home in south Minneapolis


It happened early Monday morning in Minneapolis.

One person is dead and another is hospitalized after an early-morning crash in south Minneapolis on Monday that sent a Metro Transit bus into a home.

It happened at around 4 a.m. at 10th Avenue South and East 38th Street, just a few blocks east of George Floyd Square.

A spokesperson for Metro Transit police tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that a truck was speeding down 10th Avenue when it hit the back of the bus, ripping a tire off the bus and sending it into the front of a home.

Advertisement

The driver of that truck died, according to Metro Transit police, while the driver of the bus was taken to a hospital but is expected to be OK.

Officials say nobody besides the driver was on the bus at the time, and the home the bus hit was also empty at the time.

Investigators are still at the scene, working to clean up all of the debris and determine exactly what led up to the crash.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS is at the scene and working to learn more. Download the KSTP app and follow 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS on social media for the latest updates.

Android app

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Minneapolis, MN

Atlanta Dream survive thriller in Minneapolis, edge Lynx 91-90 to open 2026 WNBA season

Published

on

Atlanta Dream survive thriller in Minneapolis, edge Lynx 91-90 to open 2026 WNBA season


The Atlanta Dream trailed by double digits, fought back twice and still needed Angel Reese’s game-saving block in the final seconds to survive. 

Atlanta opened the 2026 WNBA season with a 91-90 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday night, powered by Allisha Gray’s 24 points, Te-Hina Paopao’s pull-up jumper with 12 seconds remaining, and a performance that left little doubt about what this team intends to do this season.

Reese’s block on Emese Hof’s layup attempt in the closing seconds sealed one of the most dramatic opening-night wins before 10,821 fans at Target Center.

When Minnesota pushed its advantage to 13 points in the second quarter and the Dream looked like they were in serious trouble, Allisha Gray took over. The veteran guard finished with a game-high 24 points on 7-of-18 shooting, going a near-perfect 9-of-11 from the free throw line to go along with eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Advertisement

Gray’s ability to get to the line and convert kept Atlanta within striking distance throughout a game that could have spiraled out of control multiple times. She scored 11 points in the third quarter alone as the Dream chipped away at Minnesota’s lead.

Rhyne Howard was equally important on both ends, finishing with 15 points, five assists and three steals. Jordin Canada ran the offense efficiently with 12 points and six assists, and Paopao added six points and four assists in a composed performance off the bench.

With Atlanta trailing 85-87 and the clock winding down, Naz Hillmon stepped back and drained a 22-foot three-pointer with 2:44 left to tie the game and silence the fans in the Target Center. It was the shot of the night, and arguably the play that won Atlanta the game.

Hillmon finished with 15 points on an efficient 6-of-10 from the field, adding seven rebounds in 33 minutes. She was the Dream’s most reliable scorer off the bench and delivered her best basketball when Atlanta needed it most.

Rookie Madina Okot also impressed in her WNBA debut, scoring eight points on 3-of-6 shooting with four rebounds in just 10 minutes, showing the poise and physicality that earned her a roster spot out of training camp.

Advertisement

Angel Reese’s first game in a Dream uniform was complicated. She shot 4-of-11 from the field, committed five turnovers and picked up a first-quarter technical foul that gifted Minnesota a free point. At one point in the first half, she missed three consecutive shots on the same possession.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MAY 09: Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream blocks a shot attempt by Emese Hof #25 of the Minnesota Lynx during the fourth quarter at Target Center on May 09, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Ellen Schmidt / Getty Images


But Reese also grabbed 14 rebounds, nine on the offensive glass, blocked three shots, came up with two steals, and made the most important play of the game when it mattered most. Her block on Hof’s layup in the final seconds was the kind of athletic, instinctive play that changes games and defines seasons.

Advertisement

That is the player Atlanta acquired this offseason. On opening night, in the most pressure-packed moment of the game, she showed exactly why.

Minnesota had every opportunity to win this game and couldn’t finish it. Olivia Miles finished with 21 points on 6-of-14 shooting and eight assists to go along with eight free throws made. Kayla McBride scored 20 points and hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 1:11 left that looked like it might be the dagger.

Courtney Williams added 14 points and six assists, and the Lynx shot 50 percent from the field, a number that should have been good enough to win.

But 15 turnovers and an inability to execute in the game’s final minute proved too costly. Minnesota had chances to put Atlanta away in the fourth quarter and couldn’t. The Dream made them pay every time.

Atlanta continues its opening road trip Tuesday against the Dallas Wings before returning home for the May 17 opener against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces at State Farm Arena. Minnesota hosts Atlanta again on May 27.

Advertisement



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Minneapolis, MN

Woman dead after argument leads to shooting in Minneapolis

Published

on

Woman dead after argument leads to shooting in Minneapolis


A shooting in south Minneapolis left a woman dead Saturday night. 

Fatal shooting on Pillsbury Avenue South

What we know:

Advertisement

According to Minneapolis police, officers responded to a report of gunfire near Pillsbury Avenue South and West 25th Street around 5:30 p.m. 

A woman was found at the scene with life-threatening gunshot wounds. She was taken to the hospital where she later died. 

Advertisement

Police believe that an argument inside an apartment led to gunfire. 

The suspected shooter fled the scene before police responded. 

What we don’t know:

Advertisement

Police did not say what led up to the shooting or if they made any arrests. 

The woman has not yet been identified. 

Advertisement

What you can do:

Anyone with information on the shooting can call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or click here to submit a tip. 

The Source: A press release from the Minneapolis Police Department. 

Advertisement

Crime and Public SafetyMinneapolis



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending