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?
The shooting of Justine Ruszczyk and trial of former officer Mohamed Noor
Riham Feshir
St. Paul

Ruszczyk killing: Noor lawyers a no-show for police squad inspection

Mohamed Noor is trailed by reporters.
Former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor, flanked by attorneys Peter Wold, left, and Thomas Plunkett, right, is trailed by reporters from the U.S. and Australia as he leaves the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis in May 2018.
Evan Frost | MPR News

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

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

Attorneys for a former Minneapolis police officer charged in the shooting death of Justine Ruszczyk did not show up for an inspection of a police vehicle Friday after a judge approved their request to do so.

Mohamed Noor's attorneys Thomas Plunkett and Peter Wold had requested access to a squad car for testing and analysis as they build a defense on behalf of Noor, who's facing second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges in connection with the July 15, 2017 shooting.

Ruszczyk, also known as Justine Damond, had called 911 to report a possible assault. Noor was riding in the passenger seat while his partner Matthew Harrity drove through the alley behind Ruszczyk's southwest Minneapolis home. Authorities say Noor shot Ruszczyk through the open driver's side window.

According to a court filing last week, Noor's attorneys said state investigators have used more than one squad car for testing and "failed to preserve the squad car used in this alleged offense."

They requested access to a police squad to perform "independent tests" on Dec. 28, adding that the moon would've been in the same phase as it was on the night Ruszczyk was killed.

Hennepin County District Judge Kathryn Quaintance granted the request for a 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. window at the 5th Precinct but prohibited the defense from interviewing Minneapolis police representatives during the inspection on any topics unrelated to the squad car.

Minneapolis police spokesperson John Elder, however, said the testing did not take place on Friday. He noted that any other requests would have to be made through the courts.

Noor's attorney, Plunkett, declined to comment.