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U.S. NEWS Wednesday 21 March 2018

Minneapolis officer charged in shooting of Australian woman

makes it difficult to charge tive sentence of 12½ years; statement saying the de-
police officers unless they the second, four years. Bail cision to charge Noor was
are "unacceptably reck- was set at $500,000. "one step toward justice for
less." He said, "I agree with Noor has not spoken pub- this iniquitous act."
that." licly about the case and "No charges can bring our
But he added: "Clearly Of- declined to answer ques- Justine back. However, jus-
ficer Noor violated the tions from investigators. His tice demands accountabil-
rules and deserves to be attorney, Thomas Plunkett, ity for those responsible for
charged." said Noor shouldn't have recklessly killing the fellow
Noor is charged with third- been charged. citizens they are sworn to
degree murder "for per- "The facts will show that Of- protect, and today's ac-
petrating an eminently ficer Noor acted as he has tions reflect that," the state-
dangerous act" and with been trained and consis- ment said.
second-degree man- tent with established de- Noor's partner the night of
slaughter for "culpable partmental policy. the shooting, Matthew Har-
negligence creating un- Officer Noor should not rity, told investigators that
reasonable risk." The mur- have been charged with he was startled by a loud
This March 20, 2018 photo provided by the Hennepin County
Sheriff's Office in Minneapolis, Minn., shows Minneapolis Police der charge is for a death any crime," he said in a noise right before Damond
Officer Mohamed Noor, after he turned himself in to the Hen- caused without intent. Pros- statement. approached the driver's-
nepin County Jail. ecutors often charge multi- Noor, who had been on side window of their police
(Hennepin County Sheriff's Office via AP) ple counts if applicable to paid leave since the shoot- SUV. Harrity, who was driv-
give the jury options, or to ing, was fired from the po- ing, said Noor then fired
By AMY FORLITI turned himself in after a use as bargaining tools dur- lice force Tuesday. his weapon from the pas-
Associated Press warrant was issued for his ing plea negotiations. Damond's father, John senger seat. Damond died
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A arrest. He shot Justine Ruszc- Conviction on the first Ruszcyzk, and her fiance, of a gunshot wound to the
Minneapolis police officer zyk Damond, a 40-year-old charge carries a presump- Don Damond, issued a joint abdomen.q
was charged Tuesday with life coach, on July 15. Da-
murder and manslaughter mond's death drew inter-
in the fatal shooting of an national attention, cost the
unarmed Australian wom- police chief her job and
an in July minutes after she forced major revisions to
called 911 to report a pos- the department's policy on
sible sexual assault behind body cameras.
her home. Hennepin County Attorney
Officer Mohamed Noor Mike Freeman said the law

Man hit girl with screwdriver,

dragged her behind vehicle

OSWEGO, N.Y. (AP) — A cere" and "remorseful."
New York man has admit- Besides serving a two and
ted striking a 10-year-old one-third to seven year
girl with a screwdriver, prison sentence, Whaley
dragging her behind a ve- also will receive three years
hicle with a rope and forc- of post -release supervision,
ing hot sauce into her duct Lanza said. Sentencing is
tape-covered mouth. scheduled for May 29.
Shawn Whaley, 24, plead- Whaley admitted that he
ed guilty to 13 charges on and others held the girl
Monday in Oswego Coun- down against her will, zip-
ty including assault, unlaw- tied her arms and legs,
ful imprisonment, tamper- placed duct tape over her
ing with physical evidence, mouth and then inserted
coercion and endangering hot sauce into her mouth
the welfare of a child, ac- through a small opening in
cording to The Post-Stan- the duct tape, according
dard . Defense lawyer Sal to District Attorney Gregory
Lanza said Whaley was "sin- Oakes.q