In an interview, Mary Moriarty said the decision comes in response to comments made by Ryan Londregan's defense attorneys that the 28-year-old trooper feared for his partner's life, prompting her team to re-review the evidence.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said she will dismiss murder and manslaughter charges against State Trooper Ryan Londregan in the shooting of motorist Ricky Cobb II last summer.

Moriarty told the Star Tribune her unexpected decision comes in response to a prosecution expert's new analysis of scene video, combined with recent statements from Londregan's defense attorney. In a court hearing in April, attorney Chris Madel told the court the 27-year-old trooper feared for his partner's life because he believed the driver, Ricky Cobb III, was reaching for a gun. Moriarty said Londregan's team had never raised this legal claim before. Prosecutors and the law enforcement expert reviewed the footage and found, as Londregan's partner clung to the passenger's door, Cobb moved his hand upward and "you can't see very clearly" what he's doing.

The expert said the video reveals "horrible, horrible, horrible" tactics displayed by the troopers, but it shows Londregan used lawful force in that moment, because he "could have shot to prevent great bodily harm or death" to his partner, Moriarty said.

"We could theoretically prosecute this and just let the jury decide," she said. "However, we ethically can't do that because we don't believe at this point that we can disprove that affirmative defense."

"This is not a situation of us backing down," Moriarty continued. "It is a situation of recognizing that, given all the barriers that are put in place in these types of cases and the new information that came up, we just can't ethically go forward."

Moriarty said she plans to file the motion to dismiss Monday morning.

Gov. Tim Walz said Moriarty eventually "got to the right decision," and that it became apparent that "there were problems in this prosecution from the beginning." Walz denied Moriarty's allegations that he interfered in the case, but also told reporters he would have used his power to take the case from her and hand it to the attorney general's office if she had not dropped the charges. He said those powers provide a "safety net" to "allow an egregious situation like this to be corrected."

Leaders with the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, which waged a high-profile campaign urging Walz to take the case from Moriarty, said her statements about her decision were "unhinged" and "riddled with vengeance." Republican politicians were quick to repeat their claims that Londregan should never have been charged.

"Firstly, the trooper's tactics were flawed in their failure to de-escalate during the traffic stop, they were "not demonstrably contrary to their training," Moriarty mentioned while underlining the procedural challenges. Additionally, the dismissal of charges came after Londregan's defense team asserted a self-defense argument claiming Cobb reached for the trooper's gun, which conflicted with the prosecution's ability to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Furthermore, notwithstanding the decision to drop charges against Londragon, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty stands by the ethical stance she took initially despite facing backlash.

Attorneys for Cobb's family expressed their disappointment in the turn of events, criticizing the prosecutor's office for succumbing to political pressures and releasing a statement that emphasized the loss of a Black life without accountability or justice.

Ryan Londregan remains on paid leave, subject to an ongoing State Patrol review of the shooting. Simultaneously, Cobb's family has filed a lawsuit and continues to seek justice for his untimely death.

The tragic incident, which led to the fatal shooting of Ricky Cobb II, initially resulted in Hennepin County Attorney's Office charging State Trooper Ryan Londregan with murder and manslaughter. This decision, however, has taken a surprising turn with the recent announcement to dismiss. Attorney Mary Moriarty, citing both evidentiary concerns and ethical obligations, stands by her team's judgment in that they cannot pursue charges they cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

The updated analysis of the scene video by a prosecution expert appears to have played a pivotal role in this shift. The expert's review highlighted the troopers' tactical errors but ultimately supported the legality of Londregan's actions under the circumstances he faced. This new evidence seems to align with the defense's narrative that Londregan acted in self-defense, believing there was an imminent threat to his partner's life from Cobb's actions during the traffic stop.

The legal principle of affirmative defense, which allows for the use of force when there is a reasonable belief of an impending threat, poses significant challenges for the prosecution. Unless the prosecution can unequivocally disprove this defense, ethically, they cannot proceed. Moriarty's decision is also reflective of a broader concern for ethical accountability within the justice system and an acknowledgment of the procedural safeguards that must be upheld.

While Gov. Walz has expressed his support for the ultimate decision, the case has drawn firm criticism and intense political scrutiny. The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association's harsh words signal a larger narrative of tension between law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in cases involving police use of force. The political echo of Republican leaders further underscores the divisive nature of such cases.

Moriarty's reference to procedural impediments further elucidates the complexity of prosecuting cases involving law enforcement officers. Even so, her office's commitment to a careful and ethical pursuit of justice remains undiminished. The layers of accountability within the judicial system are demonstrated with the involvement of the governor's office and the potential for intervention in the interest of justice.

Despite the dismissed charges, the case's aftermath continues to unfold. Trooper Londregan awaits the outcome of the State Patrol's internal review to determine the future of his career. On the other side of the narrative, the legal battle for Cobb's family endures, as they pursue civil action in an effort to find justice for the loss they've suffered. The intersection of law enforcement policy, prosecutorial discretion, and the grief of a family mourning a loved one shapes the ongoing conversation surrounding the case, law enforcement, and the community's trust in the justice system.