Londregan appears in court as dozens rally in support of trooper
Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ryan Londregan was back in court for an omnibus hearing on Monday morning. The trooper is charged in the shooting death of Ricky Cobb II from last July.
At the hearing, the judge dismissed a motion filed by Londregan’s defense team to dismiss the second-degree murder charge but will have another hearing to discuss probable cause issues that could stop the case from going to trial.
The trooper is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and second-degree manslaughter.
Monday’s hearing lasted more than two hours, and the courtroom was packed with members of the Londregan and Cobb families.
The case has garnered a lot of attention. On Friday, Hennepin County officials said that his case will soon have a new prosecution team and officially announced during Monday’s hearing that four former federal prosecutors will help that new team.
There have also been various calls for the case to be reassigned from Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s office to the office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.
The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association is one of the groups calling for the case to be reassigned. On Sunday, the group tweeted asking Londregan’s supporters to change their profile photos and come to the courthouse on Monday before his hearing to show their support.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS was there as the trooper and his wife walked past a long line of supporters who were mostly wearing maroon as the two made their way to court. There was also a group of people wearing “Justice for Ricky Cobb” shirts at the courthouse.
Cobb’s sister, Octavia Ruffin, spoke outside the courtroom Monday, calling Londregan a murderer and acknowledging the people who came out to support their family.
“That we have support from community … and we’re coming for justice for Ricky Cobb II, and our community in general,” Ruffin replied when asked what the crowd meant to her.
Londregan’s attorney, Christopher Madel, said, “Trooper Londregan followed his training,” and highlighted the statements of other current and former troopers who said Londregan followed his training.
The judge set a hearing for May 15 for the new prosecutors to attend and discuss probable cause and prosecutorial misconduct motions by Londregan’s attorneys. However, the issue of probable cause isn’t expected to be taken up until June.
For 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS complete coverage on Londregan’s court proceedings, CLICK HERE.