Crime, Law and Justice

Criminal trial of DFL state Sen. Nicole Mitchell delayed
A Becker County judge has delayed State Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s criminal burglary trial indefinitely, following the weekend shootings of two fellow Minnesota lawmakers. Judge Michael Fritz granted a defense motion to postpone the trial, citing safety and security concerns and out of concern that news coverage of the shootings could negatively impact the possibility of a fair trial. The trial had been scheduled to begin with jury selection this morning.
Grief, anger prevail in reactions to killing of House DFL leader Hortman
Words of sadness and outrage poured into Minnesota Saturday from across the nation on news that Minnesota House Democratic Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed at their home in what officials say appears to be a politically motivated shooting.
Late DFL leader Melissa Hortman remembered as ‘shining light,’ consensus builder
During her two decades in elected office, Melissa Hortman positioned herself as a consensus builder and DFLer willing to work with Republicans. “Everybody liked her and respected her on both sides of the aisle,” said former GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Manhunt on for suspect in killing of Minnesota House DFL leader Hortman
Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were fatally shot Saturday in Brooklyn Park in what Gov. Tim Walz said “appears to be a politically motivated assassination.” Authorities named Vance Boelter as a suspect and asked the public’s help in finding him.
10 years after the deadly church shooting, a new history of 'Mother Emanuel'
Reporter Kevin Sack's new book is a history of Charleston's Emanuel AME Church, the oldest Black congregation in the South, where a white supremacist killed nine worshipers a decade ago.
Federal voter fraud charges brought against former Minnesota couple
Lorraine Lee Combs and Ronnie Williams are accused of giving fraudulent voter registration applications. They each face a charge of conspiracy to engage in voter registration fraud.
A 2nd judge halts more of Trump's voting executive order
More than a month after a federal judge halted a key portion of President Donald Trump's executive order on voting, another judge has ruled that additional provisions of the order need to pause as well.
U of M regents’ properties spray-painted amid concerns about land sale to aerospace company
Several members of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents said their properties were vandalized Thursday with spray-painted messages apparently protesting the sale of university land to an aerospace company.