Crime, Law and Justice

For the first time in its history, the Minnesota House has voted to legalize marijuana beyond the current medical uses allowed in the state. But firm opposition in the Senate will likely prevent it from becoming law this year.

Police in Rhode Island's capital said nine people have been wounded in a shooting. No arrests have been made.

Ray McNeary is charged in federal court with one count of bank robbery.

Davon De-Andre Turner pleaded guilty in January to helping set fire to a Minneapolis police station during protests over the death of George Floyd.

The officers’ trial was expected in August, but Judge Peter Cahill pushed the trial back to March 2022 given the recently announced federal charges against the men. He said the defense teams also deserve space from publicity.

The DFL-controlled Minnesota House is expected to pass an adult-use cannabis bill Thursday, but the measure faces strong opposition in the GOP-controlled Senate, which is unlikely to even consider the legislation.

Legal experts said the practical maximum Chauvin would face is 30 years. And that’s an upper limit that Judge Peter Cahill put within reach in a ruling announced Wednesday. He sided with prosecutors’ arguments that Chauvin committed particular cruelty in Floyd’s death and abused his authority as a police officer.

Paul Gorder, a sergeant at the state prison in Stillwater, was off duty when he and his wife angrily confronted peaceful protesters near their home in April.

Judge Peter Cahill wrote in a court filing made public Wednesday morning that Derek Chauvin abused his police power as he kept George Floyd pinned to the ground while ignoring bystander pleas to render medical aid.

A federal judge announced his decision Tuesday in the case over whether the powerful gun-rights group should be allowed to incorporate in Texas instead of New York.