May 7, 2009 - Last night a U.S. District Court Judge threw out nearly all the charges filed by the family of Fong Lee against the city of Minneapolis and officer Jason Andersen. Andersen shot and killed Lee in 2006. But the judge's ruling does NOT dismiss claims of a police cover-up.
May 7, 2009 - Attorneys representing the family of Fong Lee say they're disappointed that a federal judge dropped the city as a defendent in their wrongful death lawsuit. The judge also threw out one of the charges against the officer who shot and killed Lee in 2006. But the attorneys say that doesn't change the main thrust of their case. Lee family attorney Rich Hechter says the evidence will show that Lee was unarmed and that officer Jason Andersen acted unlawfully.
May 7, 2009 - A federal court judge has dismissed charges against the city of Minneapolis in the Fong Lee wrongful death lawsuit. But Lee family attorneys say the core of the lawsuit is still intact. They believe that officer Jason Andersen violated Lee's rights and committed assault and battery when the officer shot and killed Lee in 2006. A grand jury cleared Andersen of wrongdoing in 2007. Attorney John Klassen is not affiliated with the Lee case. But he has sued the city before. He says the Lee family still has a chip to bargain with in upcoming settlement talks.
May 8, 2009 - Jury selection begins today in U.S. District Court in the corruption trial of a Minneapolis police officer.
May 11, 2009 - Today lawyers for the family of Fong Lee met with Minneapolis city officials but did NOT reach a settlement in the family's wrongful death lawsuit.
May 11, 2009 - This morning lawyers on both sides of the Fong Lee wrongful death lawsuit will participate in settlement talks. The Lee family believes the 19-year-old was unarmed when he was shot in 2006 by officer Jason Andersen. The police say Lee was armed and pointed the gun at Andersen. Attorney John Klassen is not affiliated with the Lee case, but he has settled cases with the city of Minneapolis before. He says during a mediation, each party will sit in separate rooms.
May 11, 2009 - Brandt Williams reports on nearly 200, mostly Hmong people, demonstrating in front of the U.S. courthouse in downtown St. Paul. They came to rally support for the family of Fong Lee, who was shot and killed by a Minneapolis police officer in 2006.
May 11, 2009 - This morning nearly 200 people gathered in front of the U.S. Courthouse in downtown St. Paul to rally in support for the family of Fong Lee. Minneapolis police officer Jason Andersen shot and killed Lee in 2006. Participants at the rally say Lee was unarmed and they believe police officers planted a gun next to Lee's body to justify the shooting. Police officials have denied that a gun was planted. Those at the morning rally called for the resignation of officer Andersen and police Chief Tim Dolan. Rally organizer Dai Thao says the demonstration is helpful for the Lee family. He says Lee's death has had an impact outside of the immediate family.
May 12, 2009 - A convicted gang member took the stand today in the corruption trial against a Minneapolis police officer. Taylor Trump became an FBI informant after he was found guilty of federal drug charges. Trump says Minneapolis Officer Mike Roberts took bribes in exchange for confidential information. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams has been in court listening to the testimony today...
May 13, 2009 - The undercover informant who helped snare a Minneapolis police officer in an FBI investigation took the stand Tuesday, in the officer's corruption trial.