Trooper charged with man’s death makes first court appearance
The Minnesota State Patrol trooper charged for the death of a man last summer after a shooting during a traffic stop in Minneapolis made his first appearance in court on Monday.
As reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS last week, Ryan Londregan is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and second-degree manslaughter for the death of Ricky Cobb II.
Londregan was released without bail on the condition that he surrender his passport and remain law-abiding.
Supporters on both sides sounded off outside the courtroom. There were dozens of members of the Minnesota State Patrol Troopers Association gathered in support of Londregan. Some were former or current officers, others were citizen supporters.
“The signal they are sending to the community is that it’s OK to flee from a lawful order and put officers’ lives in danger,” said John Parenteau, a Londregan supporter.
Cobb’s family and friends were there as well. They say these charges are a good start, but they are reeling at the fact that Londregan was released Monday afternoon.
“If you look like us, you have to go to court and get bail. But if it takes a shield to walk into court after you’ve killed somebody and still go home, then we’ve got to change something up because that doesn’t feel equal to me,” said Ricky Cobb II’s brother, Rashad Cobb.
Although Cobb’s family applauded the charges, the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association slammed the decision and said Londregan’s actions were “driven by his lawful duty.”
A motion has already been filed by Londregan and his attorneys to dismiss the case, saying Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty is “literally out of control.”
Cobb was stopped for driving without any lights on near Lowry Avenue on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis last July.
During that stop, troopers wanted Cobb to step out of his car to talk about a violation of a protection that was out for him in Ramsey County. That’s when prosecutors say Cobb later let off on the brake and his car started to move, and within moments of giving a command to Cobb, Londregan can be seen on video firing two shots.
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According to prosecutors, shooting somebody went against the trooper’s training and “was not an appropriate or necessary use of deadly force.”
One legal expert who spoke with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS says training and the state’s statute on deadly force are going to be the main focal points in all future court hearings in this case.
“This is a case that needed to be scrutinized carefully, and it’s a close call about whether it was criminal behavior,” said Rachel Moran, an associate professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law.
RELATED: Legal experts weigh in on footage of state trooper shooting Ricky Cobb II
Cobb’s mother filed a POST complaint earlier this month, which can lead to discipline against officers, ranging from a reprimand to a revoked license. That move came months after his family hired civil rights lawyers.
That same month, Cobb’s family met with Gov. Tim Walz and members of the Hennepin County Attorney’s office, upsetting members of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA). The organization said at the time it also sent a letter to the governor, expressing concerns and adding the police association “would be receptive to meeting with your team and you to discuss our concerns.” Another letter was sent by the MPPOA to Morarity’s office, saying they learned members of her office also met with Cobb’s family and calling the meeting “troubling.”