Man acquitted of most charges in shooting death of friend
A man charged with second-degree manslaughter for allegedly shooting his childhood friend was acquitted of most charges on Friday.
Michael Cody Schwartz had been facing several felony charges in connection with the November 2009 death of 25-year-old Logan Daniel Ahlers at a Burnsville apartment in November 2009.
Judge Michael Sovis acquitted Schwartz of felony charges of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless discharge of a firearm in a municipality, and a misdemeanor count of recklessly handling a firearm.
Sovis convicted Schwartz of one misdemeanor count of recklessly handling a firearm.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
A criminal complaint said Schwartz, 25, was drunk and angrily pointed a loaded gun in the general direction of Ahlers for leaving him at a bar. But Schwartz's cousin told authorities that the two men wrestled playfully and the pistol went off.
Ahlers' father, Dennis Ahlers, told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the two men had been friends since they were kids. Dennis Ahlers said his son and Schwartz were likely horsing around and he believes it was an accident.
Schwartz was charged on Nov. 24, 2009 and later waived a jury trial. The court trial began earlier this month.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)