Former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor on Tuesday turned himself in on a warrant and was booked into Hennepin County Jail on felony charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter related to the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Justine Ruszczyk Damond last summer. Read the criminal complaint against Noor here.
Here are some questions and answers about the latest news, what we know and what comes next.
What are the charges officer Noor faces?
Under Minnesota statute, third-degree murder applies to individuals who unintentionally cause the death of another by "perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life."
To convict Noor of third-degree murder, prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that that Noor's intentional act caused Damond's death, was eminently dangerous to human beings and was performed without regard for human life. However, this intentional act may not have been specifically intended to cause death or directed at the person who was killed, but was committed recklessly with the knowledge that someone may be killed and without regard for that possibility. The phrase "depraved mind" in the statute is somewhat nebulous and subject to interpretation. However, the Minnesota Supreme Court attempted to define it in the 1972 State v. Mytych case as: "A mind which has become inflamed by emotions, disappointments, and hurt to such degree that it ceases to care for human life and safety is a depraved mind." Prosecutors may ask that jury instructions substitute the words "reckless conduct," which is typically done in Minnesota, attorney Ryan Pacyga said.
Under state law, on-duty officers can use deadly force to protect themselves or their partners from apparent death or great bodily harm. And a 1989 Supreme Court decision requires that officers' use-of-force actions be viewed in the moment, not with 20/20 hindsight.
Noor was also charged with second-degree manslaughter, which is defined in statute as when a person causes the death of another through culpable negligence, "whereby the person creates an unreasonable risk, and consciously takes chances of causing death or great bodily harm to another." There are additional circumstances that could qualify as second-degree manslaughter that are not relevant to this case.
To convict Noor of second-degree manslaughter, prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Noor's intentional actions, which he may not have been intended to be harmful, caused Damond's death through culpable negligence and would be recognized by a reasonable person to have a strong probability of causing death, permanent disfigurement, permanent or protracted loss of bodily function, or other serious bodily harm.
What penalties do the charges carry?
If convicted of third-degree murder, Noor could face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison; or up to ten years in prison and/or a fine of $20,000 if convicted of second-degree manslaughter.