Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Jon Collins

Charges dismissed against one of four men involved in Jamar Clark protest shooting

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

All charges have been dismissed against Daniel Thomas Macey, one of the men involved in a confrontation at a Jamar Clark protest in north Minneapolis in 2015. The confrontation ended when one of Macey's companions opened fire on a group of protesters.

The killing of Clark by a police officer in 2015 launched protests across the Twin Cities, including outside the Minneapolis Police Department's 4th Precinct.

On the night of Nov. 23, 2015, Macey and three other men traveled to the site of that protest. The group was involved in a confrontation with protesters that ended when Macey's friend Allen Scarsella shot five people.

Scarsella was convicted of first-degree assault and riot charges earlier this month. Scarsella hasn't yet been sentenced.

Macey, 27, was charged with one count of riot and five counts of aiding an offender after the fact. Attorneys for two other defendants facing similar charges, Nathan Gustavsson and Joseph Backman, have also filed motions to dismiss the charges. Court hearings for the two remaining defendants are scheduled for Thursday.

Hennepin County Judge Hilary Caligiuri granted the motion to dismiss the charges against Macey on Tuesday. The riot charge was dismissed because Macey had already separated from Scarsella and Gustavsson when the shooting occurred, according to the decision.

Prosecutors alleged that Macey had deleted electronic evidence of the shooting. But the judge ruled that the prosecution didn't provide evidence showing that the files that were erased were more than Japanese anime and Macey's schoolwork.

Macey's attorney, Ryan Garry, said Macey has maintained his innocence throughout the process.

"Mr. Macey is extremely relieved by the court's decision," Garry said. "After 15 months of waiting, pending serious felony charges, he can finally move on, put this case behind him, and put his life back together."

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office declined to comment until the motions by the other two defendants are resolved.