VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Most state workers get COVID shots, but some face discipline

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Some Minnesota government employees say that a month into the COVID-19 vaccine policy for state workers, their agencies are ramping up discipline for employees who either won’t get the vaccine or submit to weekly testing. State officials say more than 500 employees have declined both options, Employees who decline to be vaccinated or tested can be sent home, put on unpaid leave or otherwise disciplined up to termination. The news comes as 40 COVID-19 deaths were reported in Minnesota on Wednesday, raising the state’s overall death toll to 8,243 since the pandemic began. The majority of deaths reported Wednesday occurred in September and October, including two people between the ages of 25 and 29.

GEORGE FLOYD-OFFICER TRIAL

Minnesota court denies Chauvin's request for public defender

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court has denied former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin’s request to have a public defender represent him as he appeals his murder conviction and sentence in the death of George Floyd. The court said Chauvin has not established that he's entitled to a public defender. The decision was made after reviewing information about Chauvin’s debts and assets. Chauvin filed documents last month saying he intends to appeal his conviction and sentence on 14 grounds. He said at the time that he has no income aside from nominal prison wages. He is serving 22 1/2 years after his April conviction.

AP-US-POLICE-SHOOTING-MINNEAPOLIS-NOOR

Minneapolis cop who killed 911 caller resentenced Oct. 21

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The former Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot a woman who called 911 to report a possible rape behind her home is being resentenced this month, after the Minnesota Supreme Court threw out his murder conviction. Mohamed Noor was initially convicted of murder and manslaughter in the 2017 death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, a dual U.S.-Australian citizen. He was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison on the murder count. But the Supreme Court ruled last month that the third-degree murder statute wouldn't apply in Noor's case, so that conviction was tossed out. Noor is still convicted of manslaughter and will be sentenced on Oct. 21. If sentenced to the presumptive four years for manslaughter, he could be eligible for supervised release around the end of this year.

PIPELINE SHOOTING-SENTENCE

2 men told to pay $1 million-plus for oil pipeline shooting

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two Minnesota men have been sentenced to probation and ordered to pay back more than $1.1 million for damage they caused by shooting holes in an oil pipeline. Tanner Sik, of Ivanhoe, and Eric Weckworth-Pineda, of Cottonwood, pleaded guilty in March to a federal charge of negligent discharge of a pollutant. Authorities say the April 2019 leak caused nearly 4,000 gallons of spill into the Yellow Medicine River. Court documents show that the 21-year-old Sik used a semi-automatic rifle to fire several shots into the pipeline in Lyon County. The 25-year-old Weckworth-Pineda used the scope on his rifle to spot Sik’s shots. They returned to the area later in the day and saw the leak, at which time they reported the spill to authorities.

APPEALS COURT-NUISANCE YARD

Appeals court sides with homeowner and his natural yard

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota appeals court has ruled in favor of a retired botany and physics professor whose unmanicured yard was declared a public nuisance. Ed Borchardt wanted a natural yard, filled with native plants and flowers that would attract birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife. The city of North Mankato disagreed with his vision and said his yard doesn’t meet the standards of a new local ordinance that encourages naturally managed lawns. The appeals court on Monday said a city cannot declare a nuisance “based on little more than neighbors’ displeasure with the property’s appearance.” City Administrator John Harrenstein said officials will consult with their lawyers on how to proceed.

DEPUTY SHOOTING-BLAINE

Anoka County deputy shoots, wounds armed suspect

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Authorities say an Anoka County sheriff’s deputy shot and wounded a man accused of firing a gun in a Blaine neighborhood. Officers responded to a report of a man shooting a gun about 10:15 p.m. Monday. Anoka County Sheriff’s Cmdr. Wayne Heath says the suspect fired additional shots after law enforcement officers arrived. A perimeter was established to contain the suspect. Neighbors were advised to shelter in place because the man was still shooting. Heath says at one point the man shot in the direction of a residence. A sheriff’s deputy then shot and wounded the suspect. He was taken to the hospital. His condition is not known.

AP-US-GEORGE-FLOYD-TEXAS-ARREST

Fate of George Floyd pardon request now with Texas governor

HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas agency has approved a request that George Floyd be granted a posthumous pardon for a 2004 drug arrest made by a now-indicted ex-Houston police officer whose case history is under scrutiny following a deadly drug raid. Monday's unanimous recommendation by the seven member Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to grant the pardon will now be forwarded to Gov. Greg Abbott, who will make the final decision. A spokeswoman for Abbott hasn't returned an email seeking comment. An attorney with the Harris County Public Defender’s Office who submitted the pardon request in April says she's pleased by the board’s decision.

GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE-DEATH-PLEA

Man pleads guilty in fatal shooting at George Floyd Square

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A 31-year-old Minneapolis man has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge for fatally shooting another man at the intersection where George Floyd died in police custody. Shantaello Christianson pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree manslaughter and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors say Christianson will be sentenced to 10 years as part of the guilty plea. Christianson admitted to killing 30-year-old Imez Wright outside Cup Foods on March 6. Authorities say Wright was shot multiple times in the chest and hand. The intersection became a makeshift memorial after Floyd's death and is now known as George Floyd Square.

News from © The Associated Press, 2021