MINNEAPOLIS —
The family of Ricky Cobb II met with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Wednesday morning, about a week and a half after Cobb was shot and killed by a Minnesota State Trooper on I-94.
The private meeting began around 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 9. Afterward, Cobb's family told KARE 11, "We just had a very important meeting and at this time until things become more clear, we just as a family have no comment at this time."
Family members went on to say they will call a press conference "when needed."
While Walz did not share reaction from his meeting with the Cobb family, the Minnesota Police Association did not hesitate in weighing in. The organization's general counsel Imran Ali sent a letter to the governor's office calling the meeting "troubling" and saying there are legitimate concerns about Walz getting involved in the case.
“We all want the integrity of the investigation – as well the perception of the integrity of the investigation and charging decisions – to be fair and to follow the impartial rule of law," Ali wrote. "While it’s understandable to grieve a death, it’s improper to involve oneself with the integrity and transparency of our legal process. This private meeting, called “important” by Cobb’s family, with unknown assurances and information, specifically undermines the due process, rule of law, and rights of our law enforcement officers.”
Ali went on to say that by meeting with Cobb's family, the governor is creating a conflict of interest - or at the very least, the "appearance" of a conflict - over the state agencies investigating, the state agency that employs the troopers, and a potential charging decision.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty also met with Cobb's family earlier this week. "Accessibility and transparency are important and it is standard for County Attorney Moriarty to meet with families when it is requested," her office said in a statement.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the fatal shooting. People have raised concerns of bias, as the BCA falls under the same umbrella as the State Patrol within the Department of Public Safety.
Gov. Walz stated Tuesday that the state looked into other agencies to investigate the death, but he maintained that the BCA would be best qualified.
"Yeah, and we actually investigated it... according to state law, Wisconsin can’t do it, which would leave the only real agency that has the capacity to do it would be either Hennepin County or the City of Minneapolis," Walz said. "In this case, we have the resources, the professionalism and I think the trust is there still with Minnesotans with the BCA to look into that."
The BCA's goal is to complete its Force Investigation Process in 60 days, a spokesperson told KARE 11.
According to the agency, the investigation is completed in four stages:
Force Incident Occurs: In the first stage, the Force Investigation Unit (FIU) responds to the scene and gathers information before sending out information about the incident.
Initial Investigation: In the first week of its investigation the FIU interviews the officers involved in the force and the medical examiner conducts an autopsy and identifies the person who was killed. At this stage, the BCA also releases the names of the officers involved.
Complete Investigation: In the following two months, the BCA reviews videos related to the force incident, conducts follow-up interviews, and processes forensic evidence. FIU agents also gather relevant records like training and discipline.
Investigation conclusion: The FIU agents present the investigation results to a county attorney, the attorney then decided whether to not to file charges against the officers involved in the incident.
On Aug. 3, the BCA identified Ryan Londregan as the trooper who fired his gun and killed Cobb. Troopers Brett Seide and Garrett Erickson were involved in the incident but did not use force. All three have been suspended, per department policy. Formal charges in the case have not yet been filed.
Londregan has a year and a half of law enforcement experience, the BCA said.
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