Roseville man acquitted in fatal shooting on St. Paul’s Grand Avenue

A jury has acquitted a Roseville man previously charged in connection with a St. Paul shooting that left another man dead last September.

The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office confirmed the acquittal early Monday, following trial on Friday.

Demond Adante Dawson, 24, was acquitted of all charges.

Charges were previously filed against Dawson after then-29-year-old Albert Dwayne Stevens was pronounced dead following a shooting on St. Paul’s Grand Avenue.

Dawson was previously charged with second-degree murder with intent, not premeditated; second-degree murder via a drive-by shooting; and second-degree attempted murder with intent, not premeditated.

According to defense attorney Steve Meshbesher, one count of second-degree murder was dismissed on the first day of trial and the jury deliberated on the remaining counts for roughly six hours before acquitting Dawson on Friday.

The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office released the following statement Monday:

Regrettably, a key witness failed to appear to testify, making critical elements of the case very difficult to prove. While we are disappointed with the outcome, we respect the jury’s decision in this case. We want to thank our law enforcement partners for their diligent work on this case. Our hearts go out to the victim and his family.