Ruszczyk family: Hoping for open process in charging decision

Don Damond hugs a friend.
Don Damond hugs a friend in front of a photograph of Justine Ruszczyk at her memorial on Aug. 11, 2017.
Maria Cardona | MPR News file

The family of a woman who was shot and killed by a Minneapolis police officer says they are hoping for a "transparent" process as a prosecutor considers charges in the case.

Justine Ruszczyk was shot July 15, minutes after she had called 911 to report a possible sexual assault in the alley behind her home. Officer Mohamed Noor has not talked publicly about the case and declined to be interviewed by state investigators.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension turned its findings over to Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman on Tuesday. Freeman has said he expects to decide on charges before the end of the year.

A statement from Ruszczyk's family in Australia says they "trust that the Hennepin County Attorney's determination will be based on an astute assessment of the facts." They say they are hoping for justice for Ruszczyk.

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