Damond verdict a relief for dad

THE father of slain Australian woman Justine Ruszczyk Damond says he’s satisfied that the US police officer who shot her dead has been found guilty of murder.

A Minnesota jury found Mohamed Noor, 33, guilty of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after deliberating for less than a day. He was found not guilty of second-degree murder.

Ms Damond, 40, formerly of Sydney, was shot dead by Noor on July 15, 2017, when she approached his police car in an alley behind her Minneapolis home. She had called 911 amid fears a woman was being sexually assaulted.

Speaking in Minneapolis soon after the verdict was handed down, her Sydney father John Ruszczyk described the “painful journey” undertaken by Ms Damond’s family and loved ones since her death.

“We are satisfied with the outcome,” he said. “The jury’s decision reflected the community’s commitment to three important pillars of a civil society: the rule of law, the respect for the sanctity of life, and the obligation of the police force to serve and protect. We believe this guilty verdict strengthens those pillars. We hope this will be a catalyst for further change.”

Mr Ruszczyk noted the guilty verdict was reached despite the “active resistance” of a number of police officers, including the head of their union, and “either the active resistance or gross incompetence” of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at the beginning of the investigation.

Ms Damond’s fiance, Don Damond, said evidence in the case clearly showed an “egregious failure” of the Minneapolis Police Department.

“That night there was a tragic lapse of care and complete disregard for the sanctity of life,” he said.

He called on the mayor and

THAT NIGHT THERE WAS A TRAGIC LAPSE OF CARE AND COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR THE SANCTITY OF LIFE DON DAMOND

police chief to do everything they can to ensure every police officer “protects with courage and serves with compassion” – as stated on their emblem.

“This case is about Justine and Justine lived to teach us about love,” Mr Damond said.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said it was a challenging case and acknowledged mistakes were made by police and investigators.

“This was a tragic shooting that did not have to happen and should not have happened and our hearts go out to her family and friends,” he said. “On behalf of our entire office … I want the family to know how sorry we are.”