PROSECUTOR-SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES
Minnesota prosecutor charged with sexually assaulting child
FOLEY, Minn. (AP) — The top prosecutor in a Minnesota county is facing three felonies for allegedly sexually assaulting a child under 16. Benton County Attorney Philip Miller, of Rice, has been charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim younger than 16 and two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim between the ages of 13 and 15, court documents show. The St. Cloud Times reports that the statement of probable cause says police learned of the allegations in January. Miller denied touching the victim in a sexual manner.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA
Twin Cities mayors order masking for city employees
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul said Tuesday they’ll require city employees to wear masks in indoor public spaces as the delta variant of the coronavirus spurs concern nationwide. Mayors Jacob Frey and Melvin Carter said they’ll also require visitors to city-owned buildings to wear masks. The moves are in line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control. The mayors also urged businesses to require masks indoors to less the chances of virus spread. Minnesota reported 1,667 more infections on Tuesday, a positivity rate of 4%. That’s just below the state’s caution level but up significantly from 1.1% in early July.
GEORGE FLOYD-OFFICERS-CIVIL RIGHTS
Ex-cops charged in Floyd death want separation from Chauvin
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights are asking that their federal trials be separated from the trial of Derek Chauvin, who has already been convicted on state murder charges. Attorneys for J. Kueng and Tou Thao said in court filings Tuesday that their clients would be unfairly prejudiced if they went to trial alongside Chauvin. An attorney for Thomas Lane also asked to join that request. A federal grand jury indicted Chauvin, Kueng, Thao and Lane in May, alleging they violated Floyd’s rights while acting under government authority. They’ll be arraigned in September and a trial date has not been set.
WIFE FATALLY STABBED
Complaint: Defendant and victim had rocky relationship
OKLEE, Minn. (AP) — Criminal charges against a northwestern Minnesota man allege he fatally stabbed his wife following numerous fights during a deteriorating relationship. Eric Reinbold, wanted on two counts of second-degree murder, remains on the run. The 44-year-old Oklee man is accused of stabbing his wife, Lissette Reinbold multiple times in the neck, torso and upper extremities. She was found by her children lying in the driveway of her home on July 9. A medical examiner’s report says the victim died of a loss of blood.
CONVICTION-REVIEW UNIT
Minnesota AG launches unit to review wrongful convictions
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and metro prosecutors are launching a new unit to review potentially wrongful convictions through a partnership with the Minnesota Innocence Project. The partnership is funded by a two-year, $300,000 grant from the Justice Department and will be the first of its kind in the state to review the cases of people imprisoned for crimes they may not have committed. The new unit will also attempt to determine frequent causes of wrongful convictions to prevent such cases and potentially identify who actually committed the crime in some cases.
R-KELLY
Lawyer: R. Kelly gained weight, lost money ahead of trial
NEW YORK (AP) — R. Kelly’s lawyer says the R&B star has gained weight and lost money while awaiting a sex-trafficking trial that starts in earnest next week. The revelations came Tuesday during a court hearing in New York about what evidence can be shown to jurors. Prospective jurors have already filled out questionnaires aimed at ensuring they have no biases that would affect their judgment. They’ll begin answering questions next Monday. Kelly is accused of leading an enterprise of managers, bodyguards and other employees who helped him recruit women and girls for sex, sometimes at concerts. He’s pleaded not guilty to racketeering, bribery, coercion, enticement and sex trafficking.
SARTELL SCHOOLS-EQUITY SURVEY
Sartell-St. Stephen schools part ways with equity group
SARTELL, Minn. (AP) — The Sartell-St. Stephen school board has agreed to cut ties with an organization it hired to audit the district’s practices and policies on providing equitable opportunities for all students. Superintendent Jeffery Ridlehoover made the recommendation to part ways with Equity Alliance MN after questions were raised about its methodology when analyzing survey data. Equity Alliance’s survey found, in part, that 66% of students responded that they had not directly engaged in any activities designed to teach about race, culture, or understanding of others. All six board members agreed with Ridlehoover’s recommendation to end its ties with Equity Alliance. The organization did not immediately return a phone call for comment.
HOTEL STANDOFF
Rochester hotel standoff ends with arrest
ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) — A man has been arrested after a five-hour standoff at a Rochester hotel. Police say officers were called to the Extended Stay America about 3 p.m. Monday on a report of an agitated man who was possibly armed. He was in a hotel room with a woman. After negotiating until about 8 p.m., the police department’s Emergency Response Team gained entrance to the room and detained the man without incident. Police say the woman was not hurt.
The Associated Press
