Mary Moriarty: Minneapolis's major disgrace

When Mary Moriarty was elected to be Hennepin County Attorney, it didn't take long to figure out that she was an affirmative action hire. Rather than elect someone that's qualified, they elected a woman who is openly queer. Apparently, being queer is Moriarty's biggest qualification. Gathering evidence, both incriminating and exculpatory, definitely isn't her greatest qualification. Early in this news conference, Chris Madel, State Trooper Ryan Londregan's attorney, said "What I heard today at this press conference was 'Oh my gosh, there's all this new evidence that the defense put in front of us. We had no idea that Ryan Londregan was actually acting to save a partner."

This was the 'notice of defense' we filed with the court on the date that Ryan Londregan was charged (Date: 1/24/24). This is found 3:40 into the video. The notice of defense says "As will be shown at trial (if trial proves to be necessary), Trooper Londregan employed the use of deadly force against Ricky Cobb II to protect: (1) Trooper Brett Seide from death or great bodily harm & (2) Trooper Londregan will come forward with evidence showing that he acted in accordance with Minnesota Statute 609.066, Subds. 2(a)(1) & (2).

This document verifies in hardcopy form that Moriarty had this evidence since the day Moriarty charged Trooper Londregan. That's just part of Chris Madel's presentation. To watch the entire press conference, which I highly recommend, just check this out:

What's frightening is that Moriarty insisted at her news conference that "Cobb, not Londregan, was the victim":

Moriarty poured salt into the wounds of state troopers, saying this:

"The question of whether we can prove a case at trial is different than clearing a person of any wrongdoing. There are so many points at which Mr. Londregan could have handled the situation differently, and if he had, Ricky Cobb might still be alive," Moriarty said in a press release.

"But that is not the question before us as prosecutors; the only question is whether we can still prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime occurred given this new evidence. The answer to that question is no, and I would violate my ethical duties if I nonetheless continued with the case."

That's a breathtakingly foolish statement. At what point could Trooper londregan have reacted differently?It isn't ok to make sweeping generalizations like that and expect people to buy that. Further, Ricky Cobb had the opportunity to surrender. He didn't take that opportunity. Because he chose to attempt to run, Trooper Londregan was left without an alternative.

On Sunday night, news broke that Moriarty’s office had dropped all the charges against Londregan. At a Monday press conference, the county attorney explained that her decision to drop the charges was connected to the emergence of “new evidence” which changed the nature of the case. In short, Moriarty said her office was informed that Trooper Londregan intended to testify that he shot Cobb because the state trooper thought Cobb was reaching for the state trooper’s firearm.

According to the county attorney, Londregan’s defense team had never previously indicated that Londregan intended to make such statements at trial. Subsequently, prosecutors reviewed video evidence of the event with this new information in mind. After consulting with a use-of-force expert, prosecutors determined that they would not be able to disprove Londregan’s claim beyond a reasonable doubt. As such, the charges were dropped.

That's a pile of BS. There's hardcopy proof that Trooper Londregan planned on using that as a defense.

Moriarty is a disgrace. It almost makes me yearn for the days of Amy Klobuchar as County Attorney.