Minnesota State Patrol purged messages after Floyd protests

(AP) - Court testimony shows that the Minnesota State Patrol purged emails and texts messages immediately after protests over the death George Floyd during which the agency is accused of targeting journalists. 

Attorneys for the Minnesota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union say the purge of messages has made it nearly impossible to track the State Patrol's behavior, as investigators try to determine whether law enforcement used improper force on demonstrators. The information came out during a July 28 hearing in a lawsuit that alleges the State Patrol targeted journalists. 

A transcript of the hearing was posted on the court docket on Friday. State Patrol spokesman Bruce Gordon says officers follow all data retention requirements.