Minneapolis, ex-officer ask for suit delay

MINNEAPOLIS — The city of Minneapolis and a former police officer who shot and killed an Australian woman are asking a federal judge to put a $50 million civil rights lawsuit by the woman’s family on hold while a criminal case is pending.

In court documents filed in advance of a Friday hearing, attorneys for Mohamed Noor wrote that the civil case should be delayed in the “interests of justice” so Noor can fairly defend himself in both trials. The family of Justine Ruszczyk Damond disagrees, saying they deserve answers and that the cases should proceed at the same time.

Noor is charged with murder and manslaughter in the July 15, 2017, shooting of Damond, a 40-year-old life coach who was shot by Noor after she called 911 to report a possible sexual assault in an alley behind her home.

Noor has not spoken to investigators, invoking his constitutional right against self-incrimination. He has since been fired, and no trial date has been set.

In July, Damond’s father, John Ruszczyk, sued Noor, his partner, the city and the current and former police chief, alleging Damond’s rights were violated. He also accused officers of conspiring to cover up facts surrounding the shooting and of making a conscious decision not to activate body cameras.

Attorneys for Noor say the criminal and civil cases are intertwined, and that Noor can’t invoke his constitutional rights in his criminal trial while defending the civil claims.

“If this case is not stayed, Noor will be forced to either claim his Fifth Amendment privilege and risk that decision being used against him in this case, or to vigorously defend this case and risk the prosecution using Noor’s defense to pursue the criminal case,” attorney Matt Forsgren wrote.