Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Fischbach (MN-07), Emmer (MN-06), Stauber (MN-08), and Finstad (MN-01) sent a letter to Governor Walz regarding Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty's abuse of her position to wrongfully charge State Patrol Trooper Ryan Londregan and making him aware that the delegation is requesting the House Judiciary Committee investigate the prosecution.
The full letter can be read here and below:
Dear Governor Walz,
We write to you today to express our outrage at the ongoing prosecution of State Trooper Ryan Londregan, and the continued attack on law enforcement officers. We also write to inform you that we will be requesting the House Judiciary Committee conduct an investigation on this matter. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has weaponized her position against law enforcement. She ignored an independent use-of-force expert chosen by her own office, who stated that Trooper Londregan acted as a “reasonable officer” would have. The fact that Trooper Londregan is still being charged with second-degree murder, along with other charges, after this statement from the prosecution’s own expert can lead us to only one conclusion; this prosecution is politically motivated.
We’ve seen the tragic consequences of the denigration of this noble profession. In 2023, 378 officers were shot in the line of duty, the highest number since the Fraternal Order of Police began collecting this data. Too many of these deaths hit close to home here in Minnesota. The split second that officers have to make life-and-death decisions has often been clouded by the fear of political persecution, like what is happening to Trooper Londregan right now. Enough is enough. The uncertainty that this frivolous case puts in officers' minds could cost them their lives.
It is time for us as a nation to stop demonizing law enforcement. It is time for you to remove this case from the Hennepin County Attorney’s office. It is time for you to listen to Minnesota’s law enforcement community and ensure that Trooper Londregan is treated fairly under the law.
Respectfully,
Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach
Congressman Tom Emmer
Congressman Pete Stauber
Congressman Brad Finstad
Background: State Trooper Londregan was charged with felony counts of second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault, and second-degree manslaughter after he shot and killed Ricky Cobb II. An expert concluded Trooper Londregan followed his training and acted lawfully to save his partner's life. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty ignored this expert in order to advance her politically motivated and unjust prosecution.
