Trump administration halts evidence sharing in Minnesota officer killings

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 08:02 · Archive

The Trump administration has stopped sharing evidence with Minnesota authorities investigating the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers. Minnesota officials sued the administration in March, arguing they needed independent access to materials for investigation, saying they did not trust the federal government to investigate itself. The Trump administration has suggested that state prosecutors lack jurisdiction to investigate federal officers.

State prosecutors announced in July that evidence sharing had begun, including police body camera video and hard drives containing statements. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said the state expected to receive 'all the evidence'. However, Minnesota investigators said in October court filings that the transfer stopped soon after. The U.S. Attorney's Office for Minnesota told Moriarty on 10 September that evidence sharing would pause indefinitely 'in light of challenges with D.C.'.

State prosecutors have asked a judge to order federal agencies to hand over evidence, arguing there is 'no legal authority or rational basis justifying their obstruction of state criminal investigations'. The state is seeking the officers' cell phones and recordings of key interviews. In a reply filed Tuesday, Justice Department attorneys argued it is within their discretion to decline sharing information, citing the Touhy regulations, which apply only when formal legal proceedings are underway. They said there was no active court case when Minnesota made its requests.

How it is being reported

• Trump administration stopped sharing evidence in Good and Pretti killings, Minnesota officials sayState officials say in court filings that the federal government has stopped sharing evidence with Minnesota authorities who are investigating the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers.Clickorlando · 23 Oct, 03:29
• Trump administration stopped sharing evidence in Good and Pretti killings, Minnesota officials sayState officials say in court filings that the federal government has stopped sharing evidence with Minnesota authorities who are investigating the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers.News4Jax · 23 Oct, 03:29

In this story: Renee Good · Alex Pretti · Minnesota · Minneapolis · Trump administration · Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty · Justice Department

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem