Minneapolis, MN

Trial of 2 former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s killing delayed until next year | CNN

Published

3 years ago

June 6, 2022

Trial of 2 former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s killing delayed until next year | CNN

CNN
—

The upcoming state trial for former Minneapolis cops Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng for his or her alleged position in George Floyd’s killing has been moved to January 2023, Hennepin County Choose Peter Cahill dominated Monday.

Jury choice within the trial for Thao and Kueng, charged with aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional homicide and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter, had been scheduled to start subsequent week. The 2 former officers have pleaded not responsible.

A 3rd former officer, Thomas Lane, pleaded responsible to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter final month as a part of a plea deal. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on September 21, in response to the courtroom.

In his ruling Monday, Cahill cited publicity from that plea deal in addition to the current federal conviction of the three former officers for violating Floyd’s civil rights earlier this yr.

“These two occasions and the publicity surrounding them are important in that they may make it troublesome for jurors to presume Thao and Kueng harmless of the State fees,” Cahill wrote.

The choose additionally denied a request from protection attorneys for a change of venue within the ruling. Jury choice within the state trial for Thao and Kueng is now slated to start January 9 with opening statements January 30.

The costs stem from the previous officers’ actions – or lack thereof – as their colleague Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into the neck and again of Floyd, who was handcuffed and mendacity on his abdomen, for over 9 minutes on Could 25, 2020.

Chauvin was convicted final spring of Floyd’s homicide in a state trial and was sentenced to greater than 22 years in jail. He additionally pleaded responsible in federal courtroom in December to violating Floyd’s civil rights, and he shall be sentenced to twenty to 25 years in jail.

Through the arrest, Lane held down Floyd’s legs, Kueng held down Floyd’s torso, and Thao stood close by and saved a crowd of upset bystanders again. Harrowing video taken by a bystander confirmed Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, desperately pleading for them to let him breathe and calling for his mom earlier than he misplaced consciousness and died.

Thao, Kueng and Lane had been already convicted in a federal courtroom in February of violating Floyd’s civil rights. A sentencing date has not been set in that case.

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Minneapolis, MN

‘They’re in good hands': Balloon release honors north Minneapolis crash victims

Published

6 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

‘They’re in good hands': Balloon release honors north Minneapolis crash victims

Dozens wept and embraced before releasing scores of balloons Saturday over north Minneapolis to remember two community pillars who were killed in a fiery car crash.

The crowd gathered near 26th and Emerson avenues to remember Esther Jean Fulks, 53, and Rose Elaine Reece, 57. They died on Dec. 16 when Teniki Latrice Elise Steward, 38, allegedly drove through a red light and struck their vehicle. A teenager waiting at a nearby bus stop also was injured.

Fulks and Reese “gave their love and their hard work and dedication to the community. And as you can see, there’s people out here for them,” said Fulks’ daughter, D’Nia. “I’m going to miss my mom. That was my world, I was with her day in and day out. I was hoping to come home to my mom, and it didn’t happen.”

“It means a lot,” Fulks’ son, Joseph Loyd, said of the neighbors attending the balloon release. “It shows what they contributed to the community and how much they meant to people. Not just their own families, but they touched countless other families and helped people.”

Emmary Thomas places a candle at a bus stop during a balloon release Saturday for Esther Fulks and Rose Reece at 26th and Emerson avenues in north Minneapolis. Fulks and Reece died in a crash at the intersection on Dec. 16. (Ayrton Breckenridge/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A memorial of flowers, balloons, candles and pictures on Saturday mark the spot near the site of the crash that killed Esther Fulks and Rose Reece in north Minneapolis. Fulks and Reece died Dec. 16. (Ayrton Breckenridge/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Drakarr Lobley hugs a supporter during Saturday’s balloon release for Esther Fulks and Rose Reece in north Minneapolis. Fulks and Reece died in a crash at the intersection on Dec. 16. Lobley is Reece’s son. (Ayrton Breckenridge/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Family and friends said Fulks and Reece were pillars of the community who treated strangers like family and brought love to those around them. Both had worked as navigators for the Minneapolis Cultural Wellness Center since 1998, helping residents with food, clothing, shelter and other resources.

“They reminded us daily of the transformative power of service, love and cultural connection,” Elder Atum Azzahir, the center’s executive director, said in a statement. “They were not just navigators: They were beacons of hope, guiding people toward brighter futures.”

At the crash scene Saturday, loved ones embraced as they shed tears and shared memories. Anthony Hamilton’s “I Can’t Let Go” played as passing motorists called out condolences and words of support. Caution tape strung from a traffic cone near the intersection fluttered in the wind.

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Minneapolis, MN

Celebrating the winter solstice with a puppet procession in Minneapolis

Published

14 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Celebrating the winter solstice with a puppet procession in Minneapolis

On Friday night, community members and artists with In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre gathered atop a snow-covered hill in Powderhorn Park in south Minneapolis to celebrate the winter solstice together.

In the center of the crowd, Minneapolis-based musician Sarina Partridge led a series of call-and-responses:

Musician Sarina Partridge leads a call-and-response song during a winter solstice celebration in Powderhorn Park.

Ben Hovland | MPR News

“Welcome in, wild hearts,” she sang. “We will sing our way to wholeness.”

The solstice at 3:21 a.m. Saturday marks the beginning of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere, bringing with it longer days. Saturday will be the shortest day of the year, at 8 hours, 46 minutes and 10 seconds in Minneapolis.

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.

A large heron puppet leads people through a snowy park — A 25-foot tall heron puppet leads hundreds of community members through the snow in Powderhorn Park.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

About 300 people had assembled at Avalon Theatre on Lake Street and walked a few blocks down 15th Avenue to the park. Many procession participants held up paper lanterns, while others carried larger-than-life handmade puppets, recognizable from events like the MayDay Parade and Puppet Lab as well as the theatre’s puppet library, which lets people check out puppets for free.

In the Heart of the Beast’s vibrant puppetry has been a staple of Minneapolis’ Powderhorn and Phillips communities for nearly 50 years, and the organization has called the Avalon Theatre home since 1988. But in November, theatre leadership announced it was starting the process to sell the Avalon and look for a new home for its programming.

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A group of people gather in a snowy park — Hundreds of community members gather in Powderhorn Park for a winter solstice celebration.

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People hold puppets and lanterns outside a theatre — Community members hold handmade puppets and paper lanterns as they walk from In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre on Lake Street to Powderhorn Park.

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People hold lanterns and puppets as they walk down a street — Community members hold handmade puppets and paper lanterns as they walk from In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre on Lake Street to Powderhorn Park.

In the Heart of the Beast’s interim executive director Elina Kotlyar said she hopes to continue to expand on the theatre’s current programming — and make it more accessible.

She said her dream is that the new space “can be reached by as many people as want to come.”

Windchill temperatures hovered in the single digits as the procession wound its way back to the Avalon, but the lanterns cast a warm glow on participants’ faces as they plodded along the quiet neighborhood street.

A child lets out a howl on his father's shoulders — Three-year-old Finn Miller lets out a howl while perched on the shoulders of his father, Josh Miller, during a winter solstice celebration.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

Back inside the theatre, community members shared homemade soup and watched musical performances. For Kotlyar, events like the solstice celebration are integral to bringing the community together.

“Tonight is simply an opportunity to be in the moment with other people,” she said. “And the warm soup is a bonus.”

People ladle soup at a long table as people walk by — Members of Sisters Camelot serve hot soup in the lobby of In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

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Minneapolis, MN

Woman blew past red light in fatal north Minneapolis crash, charges say

Published

22 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Woman blew past red light in fatal north Minneapolis crash, charges say – CBS Minnesota

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A 38-year-old woman is facing two counts of criminal vehicular homicide in connection with Monday’s crash that killed two people and injured three others.