MN Trooper Charged With Murder Despite Testimony From Expert Witness

MINNEAPOLIS — Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty moved ahead with charges against Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ryan Londregan despite testimony from witness Jeffrey Noble, a use-of-force expert hired by her office to help determine whether the force used was justified.

Londregan acted lawfully to save the life of his partner in the shooting death of Ricky Cobb II during a traffic stop on Interstate 94 in July 2023, according to Noble.

Minnesota Republican Rep. Pete Stauber, among others, are now claiming that Moriarty committed prosecutorial abuse.

“Of all the anti-police officials running the City of Minneapolis - it is my belief that Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty is the most dangerous," Stauber, who represents Duluth and the Minnesota Iron Range, said in a statement.

"Justice should be blind, yet Moriarty has disregarded important testimony and is bringing forward a case against an innocent man to advance her own radical activist agenda. I absolutely denounce this abuse of power and I am calling on Mary Moriarty to resign in disgrace for politicizing the office she currently holds."

Noble — a former police officer from California — was previously retained by the Ramsey County Attorney's Office for the manslaughter case in the police shooting death of Philando Castile.

"A critical component of the work of the Minnesota State Patrol is engaging with drivers during motor vehicle stops," Moriarty said in January when she filed criminal charges against Londregan.

"This is something that State Troopers do every day, and, as a result, they receive extensive training on how to do so safely and effectively. Trooper Londregan did not follow this training. These charges are appropriate based on the thorough investigation conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and attorneys in our office.