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Resident asks Moorhead council to seek external review of 2009 death investigation, alleges conflicts of interest
Summary
At public comment, Jeremy Laframboise urged the council to acknowledge conflicts that, he said, prevent an objective local review of his brother—s 2009 death investigation and requested recusal and formal support for an independent external review.
A Moorhead resident told the City Council that conflicts of interest make local accountability impossible for his brother—s 2009 death investigation and asked the council to support an external review.
Jeremy Laframboise addressed the council during the citizens-to-address-the-council period and said council minutes from June 23 minimized detailed testimony he previously delivered. He alleged a conflict because, he said, a person involved in the 2009 investigation now sits on the council and therefore could be both investigator and subject. He also said former police chief David Ebringer, who oversaw the 2009 investigation, now serves on the county board of commissioners and that several current officials maintain personal relationships with individuals tied to the case.
Laframboise said he had met previously with Chief Helmick and that the chief informed him he would forward a request for an internal investigation to the county attorney—s office; Laframboise said that is the same county attorney who earlier declined to prosecute the shooter in his brother—s case. He urged the council to have any council member with the referenced connection recuse themselves, to eliminate conflicts, or to publicly support an independent external investigation.
Mayor Shelley Carlson responded during the meeting, noting the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) would be the appropriate external agency for a criminal case and that BCI had been involved with the matter in the past; she said it is unlikely BCI would authorize another review. The mayor added that the council lacks authority and appropriate licensing to conduct criminal investigations and that internal investigations would be led by the police chief; the chief had reviewed this matter and did not recommend further internal action, she said. Carlson also directed Laframboise to the Minnesota Attorney General's Office of Civil Complaints and the Minnesota Association of County Attorneys as other avenues he might pursue.
Laframboise cited "section 2.1 of the Minnesota charter chapter" as granting investigative authority to a council; the council response noted limits on the council—s authority for criminal matters. The council did not take formal action in response to the request during the meeting.
