Minneapolis leaders are sounding alarm bells over what they perceive as a lack of fairness and impartiality in the FBI's investigation into the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old US citizen who was killed by an ICE agent. The incident has sparked concerns that federal officials are holding onto evidence, which could impact the state's ability to conduct its own thorough and independent investigation.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) initially began investigating the shooting in conjunction with the FBI, but the BCA now claims it will no longer have access to case materials, scene evidence, or investigative interviews necessary for a complete investigation. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty warned that this lack of access hampers the investigation.
The mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, described the federal government's narrative casting Good as the villain as "garbage" and called on the state to conduct its own investigation. He emphasized the importance of transparency and ensuring that evidence is preserved.
State leaders have expressed concerns about bias in the FBI's handling of the case, particularly given recent statements by President Trump and other officials. Trump described Good as a "high-level agitator" and "a professional troublemaker," without evidence, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared the shooting justified and said state-level prosecutors don't have jurisdiction.
Attorneys familiar with state and federal law argue that assertions by Vice-President Mike Pence and Noem are untrue. According to Eric J Nelson, a defense attorney with experience in police cases, there may be "political differences," but ultimately, politics should not play a role in determining charges.
The Minneapolis leaders' concerns over the fairness of the FBI's investigation have raised questions about whether the federal agency is capable of conducting an unbiased inquiry.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) initially began investigating the shooting in conjunction with the FBI, but the BCA now claims it will no longer have access to case materials, scene evidence, or investigative interviews necessary for a complete investigation. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty warned that this lack of access hampers the investigation.
The mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, described the federal government's narrative casting Good as the villain as "garbage" and called on the state to conduct its own investigation. He emphasized the importance of transparency and ensuring that evidence is preserved.
State leaders have expressed concerns about bias in the FBI's handling of the case, particularly given recent statements by President Trump and other officials. Trump described Good as a "high-level agitator" and "a professional troublemaker," without evidence, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared the shooting justified and said state-level prosecutors don't have jurisdiction.
Attorneys familiar with state and federal law argue that assertions by Vice-President Mike Pence and Noem are untrue. According to Eric J Nelson, a defense attorney with experience in police cases, there may be "political differences," but ultimately, politics should not play a role in determining charges.
The Minneapolis leaders' concerns over the fairness of the FBI's investigation have raised questions about whether the federal agency is capable of conducting an unbiased inquiry.