Hennepin County Attorney: "No Evidence" To Prosecute Officer Mohamed Noor In The Murder of Justine Damond

Very Apparent Murderer

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Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Wednesday that he does not yet have the evidence to file charges against a Minneapolis police officer in the shooting death of Justine Damond, blaming a lack of evidence and investigators in the case that “haven’t done their job.” 

Freeman made the candid comments during a union event after being confronted by activists, who recorded the interaction. 

They asked Freeman why it has taken so long for him to announce a charging decision on whether officer Mohamed Noor was justified in shooting and killing Damond on July 15. 

“Fair question. I’ve got to have the evidence, and I don’t have it yet,” Freeman responded. “Let me just say it’s not my fault. So if it isn’t my fault, who didn’t do their job? Investigators. They don’t work for me. They haven’t done their job.” 

Murder Victim

Freeman said coming to a decision “is the big present I want under the Christmas tree.” Damond’s family is “deeply distressed and unhappy” following Freeman’s remarks, said Bob Bennett, the attorney representing the family. “We expected a quality investigation that would be fair, complete and accurate, and apparently that hasn’t happened,” Bennett said. 

Noor’s attorney, Thomas Plunkett, said he was concerned by Freeman’s comments. “No lawyer wants their client placed under a Christmas tree as a present to a vocal segment of the community. That said, this case is about an officer that followed procedure and training. This lead to the death of a very fine person which is a horrible tragedy, but not a crime.” Plunkett said. 

“Investigators gather evidence, they don’t create it. That is their job,” he added. “I am concerned by any supplemental investigation — especially if it is directly overseen and influenced by the County Attorney.”

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