Crime, Law and Justice

Prosecutors seek higher sentence for Chauvin in Floyd death
Prosecutors are asking a judge to give Derek Chauvin a penalty that’s more severe than state guidelines call for when he is sentenced in June for the killing of George Floyd.
Petition to replace MPD submitted to Minneapolis city officials
The coalition Yes 4 Minneapolis on Friday delivered more than 20,000 signatures to the Minneapolis City Hall as part of an effort to replace the city's Police Department with a new Department of Public Safety.
St. Paul officials push review of sheriff's livestream
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher started his “Live on Patrol” videos last year. He says it is a way to show people how law enforcement works and build trust with people, but City Council members say community members have complained the shows are a distraction and problematic, especially when he has not appeared to be wearing a body camera.
Prosecutor in Daunte Wright's death not swayed by critics
As activists in Minnesota press for murder charges against the police officer who shot Daunte Wright, the prosecutor is sticking by the manslaughter charge he filed. 
'Their lives were intertwined with ours': Artist wants us to see the lives of Black men killed by police
A northeast Minneapolis artist is posting signs where Black men killed by police lived, worked and went to school. He wants people to see neighbors, not just headlines when they read their names.
Sex trafficking in Minnesota
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with a survivor of sex trafficking, a police detective who investigates sex trafficking crimes and founders of two organizations devoted to raising public awareness and helping people start new lives after prostitution.
Some Omaha high school students could face discipline for reenacting inside the school building the arrest and killing of George Floyd and then posting a photo of it to social media.
Chauvin trial eases concerns of courtroom camera skeptics
Judge Peter Cahill is allowing the trial of ex-cops J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao to be televised. There were no major problems with the live broadcast of Derek Chauvin’s trial, the first time that a Minnesota criminal trial had been televised. The experiment won over many who opposed having cameras in the courtroom.
What civil rights charges connected to Floyd's death could mean
A federal grand jury could soon hand down civil rights charges against the four former Minneapolis police officers involved in George Floyd's death. The civil rights violations would be on top of the state criminal charges the officers face. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked to John Marti, former acting U.S. attorney and longtime federal prosecutor.
State aid for Twin Cities businesses uncertain as end of session looms
Nearly a year after unrest that followed the death of George Floyd, businesses damaged in the violence are watching for signs of help from lawmakers in St. Paul. State Rep. Fue Lee, DFL-Minneapolis and chair of the bonding committee in the House, spoke with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.