Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announces the dismissal of charges against State Trooper Ryan Londregan, citing new evidence making it impossible to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime occurred.
Moriarty announced the decision Sunday evening, stating that "Ricky Cobb II should still be alive today." She acknowledged that Trooper Ryan Londregan, 27, could have handled the situation differently, but emphasized that the prosecutor's duty is to determine whether a crime can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt with the available evidence.
Troopers pulled Cobb over on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis on July 31 because the lights were out on his car. They then found that the Spring Lake Park man was wanted for violating a protection order in neighboring Ramsey County.
Londregan shot Cobb twice as Cobb tried to drive away after troopers ordered him to get out of his car.
**Moriarty filed a notice to dismiss the charges after Londregan's defense team revealed prospective testimony during an April court hearing that the trooper believed Cobb was reaching for a firearm.** A Minnesota State Patrol trainer also testified that he never instructed officers to refrain from shooting into a moving vehicle.
This evidence would have made it impossible for prosecutors to prove that Londregan's actions were not an authorized use of force by a peace officer, the county attorney's office said in a statement released Sunday.
**Cobb's family was outraged by the decision.** "Regardless of how many absurd excuses Trooper Londregan gives to try and absolve himself, he shot and killed Ricky Cobb II at point blank range without any justification," a statement from Cobb family attorneys said. They accused the County Attorney's Office of bowing to political pressure.
Londregan's attorney, Chris Madel, said, "It's about g------ time."
**Prosecutors reviewed footage from the scene and found that Cobb moved his hand upward as Londregan's partner clung to the passenger's door.** Cobb did have a gun in the vehicle, but Moriarty said there is no evidence he intended to grab it. However, the defense team's statements caused prosecutors to reconsider the evidence and conclude that they could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Londregan's actions were not authorized.
**Moriarty discussed the decision in a press conference Monday, acknowledging that many people will be disappointed.** She emphasized that her obligation is to follow the law and the evidence, which does not support a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt.
Cobb's family has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, alleging that the stop and the shooting were unjustified.
