Latest news with #CountyAttorney
CBS News
7 days ago
- CBS News
Hennepin County attorney calls for court to vacate 1998 murder conviction
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty says she is announcing a petition to vacate a 1998 murder conviction. This story will be updated.
Daily Mail
07-08-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
America's wokest DA gives self-pitying interview suggesting she was shamed into standing down
A Minnesota County Attorney surprised many this week by announcing she will not seek re-election and suggesting she was 'shamed' into stepping down. Mary Moriarty, 61, a former chief public defender who became Hennepin County's first openly gay County Attorney in 2022, confirmed she will not run again in 2026, hinting that relentless criticism heavily influenced her decision. 'The stories that generally come out are not what the office is doing, or why,' Moriarty told the Minnesota Star Tribune in a candid interview. 'It's been, "I'm controversial and I'm doing this thing"… It has been hard on the office and certainly hard on my family, me, all of that.' Moriarty has faced criticism over several high-profile decisions throughout her tenure, including offering plea deals to teenagers involved in the murder of Zaria McKeever and charging Minnesota state trooper Ryan Londregan with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Ricky Cobb. However, the murder charges against Londregan were later dropped following recommendations from outside counsel, the Star Tribune reported. Her tenure also drew federal scrutiny when the U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation into her office for suspected civil rights violations after she implemented a policy directing prosecutors to consider racial identity during key charging and plea deal decisions. The move, defended by Moriarty as data-driven, drew bipartisan concern. Criticism has come from both Republicans and Democrats, often grouping her with other progressive prosecutors nationwide. When asked if the unwanted attention influenced her decision to step down, Moriarty described herself as 'one of the most stubborn people on the face of the earth.' Still, she admitted the sustained attacks 'felt personal' and argued the media overlooked the effectiveness of her data-driven approach. 'The things that people feel free to say and write, yeah, that's hurtful,' she said. 'But they have never been able to talk [about] or criticize our data points at all.' Labeled 'controversial' throughout her tenure, Moriarty said stepping aside will help shift the spotlight away from her and back onto the office's work. 'I think it has been a real disservice to our community and to our office,' she said. Moriarty ran on a platform of progressive criminal justice reform and won by 16 points. 'When I campaigned there were all kinds of attacks on me, but I won by 16 points,' she said. 'That was because I talked about a new way of doing things in the system that were actually more equitable, they were more trauma-informed, they were more about what actually keeps us safe. I firmly believe voters will again elect somebody who has those values and intends to do the actual work. I feel comfortable with that.' Despite the controversies, Moriarty maintains her policies are making a measurable difference, citing a decline in carjackings and auto thefts in Minneapolis following the launch of a youth-focused intervention initiative. Her unexpected announcement is set to change local political circles, where Hennepin County attorneys traditionally serve long terms. Her predecessor Mike Freeman served in the role for 24 years, and Amy Klobuchar served there for eight years before pivoting to the U.S. Senate. Following Moriarty's resignation announcement, Hennepin County Commissioner and Board Chair Irene Fernando expressed support for her colleague. 'County Attorney Mary Moriarty has been a tireless fighter for justice in an increasingly unjust world. I've been grateful for her partnership to date,' Fernando said. 'I'm certain that our partnership will continue as we work in our respective positions to ensure better outcomes for residents through the remainder of her term. I'm grateful for the Attorney's leadership and tenacity. There is still a lot we will accomplish together in the next 18 months,' the commissioner added. Looking ahead, Moriarty said she is considering teaching and continuing her podcast, 'We Don't Have to Choose,' which explores criminal justice issues. 'I think I can influence in different ways when I'm done,' she said.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
Special victims unit prosecutor arrested twice in domestic violence incidents
Thomas Rogers, a special victims unit prosecutor for Hillsborough County, was arrested twice early Friday morning after a domestic violence incident in Manchester, police said. Rogers, 35, works for the Hillsborough County Attorney's Office. Special victims unit prosecutor arrested twice in domestic violence incidents Thomas Rogers 'We are aware of the recent arrests involving one of our prosecutors in the special victims unit,' Assistant County Attorney Shawn Sweeney said in a written statement. 'This is a serious matter, and we take it very seriously. The integrity of our office and the safety of our community are our top priorities. ... We will allow the legal process to unfold and will cooperate fully with law enforcement. It is crucial that we uphold the principles of justice, irrespective of an individual's position. We will not comment further on the specifics of the case to protect the integrity of the investigation.' Sweeney confirmed Rogers is a prosecutor for his office. Rogers lists his job title as assistant county attorney on his LinkedIn profile. Shortly before midnight Thursday, Manchester officers were called to a Laurel Street residence, where Rogers is accused of assaulting a woman he knows, according to a news release from the Manchester Police Department. Rogers was charged with simple assault — domestic violence. He was booked and released around 3:30 a.m. and ordered not to go back to the victim's address, police said. Around 6:30 a.m. police responded to a 911 hang-up call from the same Laurel Street home. The victim from the previous incident had left the home, but officers found Rogers at the residence, police said. Rogers was arrested a second time and charged with breach of bail and stalking. He was held at the Valley Street jail. Police are investigating the incidents. dpierce@
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
Special victims unit prosecutor arrested twice in domestic violence incidents
Thomas Rogers, a special victims unit prosecutor for Hillsborough County, was arrested twice early Friday morning after a domestic violence incident in Manchester, police said. Rogers, 35, works for the Hillsborough County Attorney's Office. Special victims unit prosecutor arrested twice in domestic violence incidents Thomas Rogers 'We are aware of the recent arrests involving one of our prosecutors in the special victims unit,' Assistant County Attorney Shawn Sweeney said in a written statement. 'This is a serious matter, and we take it very seriously. The integrity of our office and the safety of our community are our top priorities. ... We will allow the legal process to unfold and will cooperate fully with law enforcement. It is crucial that we uphold the principles of justice, irrespective of an individual's position. We will not comment further on the specifics of the case to protect the integrity of the investigation.' Sweeney confirmed Rogers is a prosecutor for his office. Rogers lists his job title as assistant county attorney on his LinkedIn profile. Shortly before midnight Thursday, Manchester officers were called to a Laurel Street residence, where Rogers is accused of assaulting a woman he knows, according to a news release from the Manchester Police Department. Rogers was charged with simple assault — domestic violence. He was booked and released around 3:30 a.m. and ordered not to go back to the victim's address, police said. Around 6:30 a.m. police responded to a 911 hang-up call from the same Laurel Street home. The victim from the previous incident had left the home, but officers found Rogers at the residence, police said. Rogers was arrested a second time and charged with breach of bail and stalking. He was held at the Valley Street jail. Police are investigating the incidents. dpierce@
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wabasha County Commissioners testify in appeals case regarding county attorney's salary
Jun. 17—WABASHA, Minn. — Testimony for the appeal case regarding the Wabasha County Attorney's salary was heard on Tuesday, June 17 in Wabasha County Court. The appeal case was filed in December after the Wabasha County Board of Commissioners passed a motion to reduce County Attorney Matt Stinson's salary by $20,000. During his opening statement, Stinson argued that the board's decision to cut his salary violated the Minnesota statute that says a county attorney's salary cannot be reduced during his term. Stinson's salary was set at $130,000 for 2024. The board of commissioners rescinded its motion to reduce his salary to $110,000 in January and set his 2025 salary at $119,000, which was the salary set for the county attorney position in 2022 when he was elected. Ann Goering, who represented the county board of commissioners, said the board did not violate the statute because they rescinded the motion to set his salary at $110,000. While the $119,000 salary is less than Stinson's 2024 salary, it does not dip below the amount set for the term, Goering said. She continued to argue that commissioners received reports of poor job performance. Stinson did not call any witnesses to the stand and rested his case. Goering first called commissioner Don Springer to the stand. Springer was the first commissioner to make a motion to reduce Stinson's salary in November 2024. During the November board of commissioners meeting, Springer said he spoke with nearly all department heads in the county and received complaints about the county attorney's office. Many complaints involved Stinson's lack of responsiveness to phone calls and emails, a "sense of superiority over other offices," truancy reports not being filed and complaints about sexual assault cases, Springer testified. Springer told the court he made a motion to reset Stinson's salary because he felt $119,000 was more appropriate. Commissioners Mike Wobbe and Bob Walkes were also called to the stand. Both echoed that they spoke with county department heads who complained to them about responsiveness from the Wabasha County Attorney's Office. Walkes said he agreed with the motion to reduce Stinson's salary to $110,000 because he knew they would have the opportunity to raise it to $119,000 during a January meeting when commissioners officially set the salaries of elected officials. Goering finally called Wabasha County Administrator Michael Plante to the stand. Plante, who speaks to all department heads as part of his position, said he was informed that county departments spent over $180,000 on outside legal assistance in 2024. The amount was $100,000 more than the previous year, he testified. The case was rested Tuesday afternoon, June 17. Closing arguments will be heard on July 14.
