Charges Dropped Against MN State Trooper in Killing of Ricky Cobb II

MINNEAPOLIS— Murder charges have been dropped against Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan in the fatal shooting of Ricky Cobb II during a traffic stop last July.

Hennepin County Attorney, Mary Moriarty, filed a notice of dismissal of the charges against the state trooper, stating that there have been “several new pieces of evidence that would make it impossible for the State to prove that Mr. Londregan’s actions were not an authorized use of force by a peace officer.”

Cobb was pulled over by troopers when they noticed there was a warrant out for him in Ramsey County. When Londregan arrived on the scene he stood at Cobb’s passenger side door, while another trooper stood in front of the driver side door. Cobb took his foot off the break and his car slowly lurched forward. Londregan fired twice, killing Cobb.

In her statement, Moriarty continued, “Today’s necessary decision does not change that fact, nor does it exonerate Mr. Londregan or the methods his supervisors used to train him in difficult situations.”

“The question of whether we can prove a case at trial is different than clearing a person of any wrongdoing. There are so many points at which Mr. Londregan could have handled the situation differently, and if he had, Ricky Cobb might still be alive.”

There will be a full press conference on the dismissal tomorrow.

Is this justice?