Minneapolis, MN
Appeals court will weigh in on defamation case against Minneapolis police chief
A three-judge panel has agreed to hear an appeal from the city of Minneapolis in the defamation lawsuit against police Chief Brian O’Hara.
Former police officer Tyler Timberlake sued O’Hara and the city last year alleging the chief defamed and wrongfully fired him. Timberlake was let go after details surfaced about a use-of-force incident he was involved in at a previous job.
The city says O’Hara is protected under a concept called absolute privilege because he made his statements in his official capacity as chief.
District court Judge Karen Janisch wasn’t convinced. In a ruling issued in July, Janisch said O’Hara is not an elected official and denied the city’s request to dismiss the suit on those grounds.
Written arguments are due next month.
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