Prof. Murray Interviewed on MPR About Prosecutor’s Decision to Convene a Grand Jury in Ruszczyk Killing

Prof. Murray was interviewed by Cathy Wurzer on MPR’s “The Takeaway” about Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman’s decision to convene a grand jury to help determine whether Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor, who shot Justine Ruszczyk, should be charged with a crime. Murray pointed out that the grand jury process gives Freeman additional investigative capabilities, including the power to subpoena witnesses. He could also secure a grant of immunity to ensure that witnesses cannot invoke their Fifth Amendment rights. Given that certain witnesses had apparently refused to participate in interviews with investigators, the grand jury opens up investigation paths that have previously been closed. Murray also noted that harnessing the grand jury was not inconsistent with Freeman’s promise to make the actual charging decision himself. There was no “legal impediment” to Freeman using the grand jury for investigative purposes while taking full responsibility himself for the final decision to charge.