Ricky Cobb’s family upset Moriarty dismissed charge of murder against soldier

The family of Ricky Cobb II on Monday condemned the Hennepin County District Attorney’s decision to dismiss charges against the state trooper who shot and killed Cobb in a traffic stop last summer.

Speaking to reporters outside the Hennepin County Government Center, Cobb’s mother, Nyra Fields-Miller, said she felt betrayed by the announcement made by Hennepin County’s Mary Moriarty a day earlier, saying it felt like a “dagger behind me”.

Fields-Miller and activists at the press conference — including several other mothers of black people killed by police — said they believed Moriarty had “buckled” under mounting political pressure.

“They need to take responsibility and stand up; be a man and do what you have to do,” Fields-Miller said. “And I’m going to be a woman and I’m going to do what I have to do and I’m going to make this right.”

Moriarty told the Star Tribune on Sunday that he will dismiss both the murder and manslaughter charges against Londregan in Cobb’s shooting death last summer during a traffic stop. She said it was in response to a prosecution expert’s new analysis of video from the scene and recent statements by Londregan’s attorney about Cobb reaching for Londregan’s gun. In an April court hearing, attorney Chris Madel said his client feared for the life of his partner, Brett Seide, because he believed Cobb was reaching for Londregan’s gun during the July 2023 traffic stop.

The district attorney said Sunday that the prosecution could proceed with the case, but that “we can’t ethically do that because we don’t believe at this point that we can disprove that affirmative defense.” A civil case against both soldiers is still active.

Following Cobb’s mother at the press conference was Cobb’s 17-year-old granddaughter, Ra’Kiya Cobb. As she cried, she said she felt her family had been lied to and denied justice.

“I’m tired of being led this way and then being led back this way,” she said. “We’re giving you a run down. You should all be making the city better, not worse.”

Speakers criticized the timing of Moriarty’s firing announcement, which came three days after a suspect allegedly shot and killed Minneapolis officer Jamal Mitchell.

Moriarty said Sunday that Mitchell’s slaying did not influence her decision to dismiss the charges against Londregan. But activists who spoke on Monday were not convinced. Toshira Garraway, the founder of Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence, said she took issue with Moriarty beginning to announce his firings by discussing and mourning Mitchell’s death.

Ricky Cobb’s twin brother, Rashad, was one of several speakers who criticized Gov. Tim Walz for previously saying he might remove Moriarty’s office from the case and step in rather than let it go.

“Do your job, because people gave you that job,” Rashad Cobb said.