[quote]COLD SPRING, Minn. (KMSP) -
Ryan Larson, the man arrested in connection with the shooting death of Cold Spring police officer Tom Decker, was released Tuesday without charges.
The Stearns County Sheriff's Office said Larson, 34, was released at 11:48 a.m. and was given a ride to an undisclosed location by deputies.
The Stearns County attorney had until noon Tuesday to file charges against Larson, who was being held on pending charges of second-degree murder. In consultation with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Stearns County Sheriff's Office, the county attorney determined there is not enough evidence to charge or hold Larson any longer.
The investigation into Decker's death will continue.
"Our agencies have reviewed the investigative data collected thus far and must act within the time allotted by law, within the constraints of the law, and based upon the facts known at this time," said Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall.
Officer Tom Decker, 31, was ambushed and shot twice Thursday night behind Winner's Bar in Cold Spring while responding to a report of a suicidal man.
"Investigators will not rest until we fully determine what happened the night of Officer Decker's death and bring to account those responsible," said BCA assistant superintendent Drew Evans.
BCA agents and other investigators used the 24-hour charging extension to look for the shotgun used to kill Decker and to conduct interviews to bolster their case.
Anyone with information regarding this crime or the whereabouts of the 20-gauge shotgun believed to be the murder weapon is urged to contact the Stearns County Sheriff's Office at 320-251-4240.
Several funds have been set up for those who are interested in helping Officer Decker's family.
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[url=http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/20257792/ryan-larson-released-cold-spring-officer-tom-decker-death]Source[/url]
Sickening. Video in source
there's not enough evidence to hold him any longer or to charge him.
Well he's probably not a cop killer if they released him?
[QUOTE=BeardyDuck;38709425]there's not enough evidence to hold him any longer or to charge him.[/QUOTE]
Problem is if they find the evidence, they can't find him.
They cant find the shotgun that was used in the killing of the officer, which is why he walked.
If there's one thing that can make me just completely livid, it's cop killers.
A shotgun is going to be hard to tie to the case. It's not like a handgun or rifle, which leaves marks on the bullet.
[QUOTE=cecilbdemodded;38709639]A shotgun is going to be hard to tie to the case. It's not like a handgun or rifle, which leaves marks on the bullet.[/QUOTE]
In a town of only 500, I would think it would be easy to find a 20g shotgun laying around
A 20 gauge isn't enough, it has to be THE 20 gauge. They'll need some way to prove that shotgun was the one that was used in the crime. Depending on what the cop was shot with(slug, buckshot) it may be impossible. If the shell was marked by the shotgun when the round was chambered, maybe it might be enough, assuming they have a spent shell or two at the crime scene to compare.
Then you need to tie that shotgun to the suspect in some way.
You'd think in a town of 500, they'd have their shit together.
[QUOTE=areolop;38709656]In a town of only 500, I would think it would be easy to find a 20g shotgun laying around[/QUOTE]
20g shotguns are everywhere here. That town alone probably has at least 20. And you have to account for the surrounding areas.
[QUOTE=areolop;38709656]In a town of only 500, I would think it would be easy to find a 20g shotgun laying around[/QUOTE]
What you're forgetting is that this is an American town in Minnesota. The gun populations likely exceeds the combined human, cat, and household pest populations by a pretty wide margin.
[QUOTE=areolop;38709656]In a town of only 500, I would think it would be easy to find a 20g shotgun laying around[/QUOTE]
doubt it, 20 gauge shotguns are one of the most common types of gun out there
[QUOTE=AJisAwesome15;38709518]If there's one thing that can make me just completely livid, it's cop killers.[/QUOTE]
As the son of a Bobby in the Scotland Yard, I completely agree. Even armed cops here in the US are in danger, and we let sons of bitches like this off way to well.
THE MURDER OF THE PUBLIC DEFENSE FORCE IS TO BE PUNISHED AT THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW!
[QUOTE=areolop;38709656]In a town of only 500, I would think it would be easy to find a 20g shotgun laying around[/QUOTE]
think of all the places you could hide a shotgun in just a single house alone. a town of 500 wouldn't be hard to hide a murder weapon in.
[QUOTE=Moustacheman;38709439]Problem is if they find the evidence, they can't find him.[/QUOTE]
eh, they always find their man.
You can run, but eventually you will get caught.
[QUOTE=Moustacheman;38710233]As the son of a Bobby in the Scotland Yard, I completely agree. Even armed cops here in the US are in danger, and we let sons of bitches like this off way to well.
THE MURDER OF THE PUBLIC DEFENSE FORCE IS TO BE PUNISHED AT THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW![/QUOTE]
not saying that copkillers deserve to be let off freely. but what dictates that killing a cop is worse than killing a normal person? just because they have a badge and a gun?
[QUOTE=Moustacheman;38710233]As the son of a Bobby in the Scotland Yard, I completely agree. Even armed cops here in the US are in danger, and we let sons of bitches like this off way to well.
THE MURDER OF THE PUBLIC DEFENSE FORCE IS TO BE PUNISHED AT THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW![/QUOTE]
Well, sure, but we can't prove he's a murderer.
People are innocent until proven guilty. You can't just continue to detain someone until "you find the evidence".
[editline]4th December 2012[/editline]
Also, this is a shit thread title. How about "alleged cop killer", or is that not sensationalist enough for you?
[QUOTE=areolop;38709469]They cant find the shotgun that was used in the killing of the officer, which is why he walked.[/QUOTE]
yeah, because they don't have any significant evidence to keep him locked up or even to implicate that he was the one who killed the officer. i don't see how that's "sickening"
[QUOTE=AJisAwesome15;38709518]If there's one thing that can make me just completely livid, it's cop killers.[/QUOTE]
yeah police lives are a lot more valuable than regular old people lives
Welcome to due process.
[editline]5th December 2012[/editline]
[QUOTE=MR-X;38710247]eh, they always find their man.
You can run, but eventually you will get caught.[/QUOTE]
Not always.
Man you guys have very Hollywood views on law.
[QUOTE=Kopimi;38710307]yeah police lives are a lot more valuable than regular old people lives[/QUOTE]
There's something pretty sickening about killing a person who's devoted their life to protecting you.
[QUOTE=asteroidrules;38710488]There's something pretty sickening about killing a person who's devoted their life to protecting you.[/QUOTE]
doesn't mean there should be additional (or less) legal retribution for doing so.
[QUOTE=ButtsexV3;38710012]doubt it, 20 gauge shotguns are one of the most common types of gun out there[/QUOTE]
On top of that the amount of people that like to hunt in Minnesota
which is a lot
Headline is misleading, they didn't have enough evidence to prove that he was guilty and thus he is (Probably)innocent.
[QUOTE=Big Dumb American;38709930]What you're forgetting is that this is an American town in Minnesota. The gun populations likely exceeds the combined human, cat, and household pest populations by a pretty wide margin.[/QUOTE]
As a Minnesotan, I can confirm this.
the question is, why did they think it was him in the first place? the way the article is written makes it seem like they just pulled his name out of a hat and arrested him.
He is concidered innocent until they can prove it, so the title is really, really wrong. According to the evidence he did not kill him (Since there is no evidence), so there is no reason to determine he did it in the title.
[editline]5th December 2012[/editline]
Actually, the title could be right if you say "Cop killer walks free, as suspect is released with no evidence", since the cop killer is still on the loose
[QUOTE=fantafuzz;38711323]He is concidered innocent until they can prove it, so the title is really, really wrong. According to the evidence he did not kill him (Since there is no evidence), so there is no reason to determine he did it in the title.
[editline]5th December 2012[/editline]
Actually, the title could be right if you say "Cop killer walks free, as suspect is released with no evidence", since the cop killer is still on the loose[/QUOTE]
[img]http://puu.sh/1xn5D[/img]
[QUOTE=Moustacheman;38709439]Problem is if they find the evidence, they can't find him.[/QUOTE]
So what are they meant to do? Keep a guy in custody without evidence just in case he turns out be guilty later?
It's better to let a few guilty men slip away than to risk the imprisonment of innocent people by ignoring due-process.
That's assuming this guy is even guilty.
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