Zaria McKeever killing: Minnesota police union calls for state to prosecute
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. (FOX 9)
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association is criticizing Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty's plea deal with two teenagers accused in the killing of Brooklyn Park resident Zaria McKeever in November 2022.
McKeever, 23, was fatally shot in her apartment and five people, including two teenagers, have since been charged. However, the 17-year-old pleaded guilty, and the 15-year-old is expected to enter a guilty plea on April 7. The plea deal includes two years at a juvenile correctional facility, 30 days of home monitoring upon release, and then probation until the age of 21.
The family previously spoke out against the plea deal and requested the judge to reject it claiming Moriarty cared more about the teenagers who allegedly shot McKeever rather than her. Last week, McKeever's loved ones continue to demand Attorney General Keith Ellison take over the prosecution of the case.
"She's been thrown into Mary's political gain and she's trying to use this as a test dummy," Tiffynnie Epps, McKeever’s sister told FOX 9’s Paul Blume. "And I'm sorry, but she picked the wrong family."
Brooklyn Park apartment murder: Hennepin County Attorney announces charges against 2 people
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced two more adults have been charged for their alleged roles in the death of 23-year-old Zaria McKeever, who was fatally shot in her Brooklyn Park apartment late last year.
Now, the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association is joining the call for the state to take over the case.
"In this case of great criminal importance, the state should immediately intervene, as the reckless charging decisions from County Attorney Moriarty embolden those that seek mayhem and make the community less safe for every resident and every law enforcement officer," MPPOA Executive Director Brian Peters said in a statement.
Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Associations General Counsel and former county prosecutor Imran Ali said giving the teenagers a "soft slap on the wrist for murder … is an appalling decision." Ali said Moriarty's decision will "embolden crime by violent juveniles and adults who prey on them" and "juveniles will be treated fondly under the new policy."
Memo outlines Moriarty's position on youth prosecution
Moriarty ran for office on a platform that included promising to change how juveniles are prosecuted and charged in Hennepin County, pointing to studies in two areas:
1) A growing body of research on brain development showing that the frontal cortex, or the part of the brain that controls aspects of decision-making, including impulsivity and understanding risks and consequences, does not fully develop until a person is in their mid-20s.
2) Research indicating that incarcerating youth in adult facilities increases the likelihood they will commit additional crimes.
Sarah Davis, director of the Children and Family Division of the Hennepin County Attorney's, outlined how the office would approach juvenile prosecutions in a recent memo to staff attorneys. The memo also said attorneys need to seek approval before moving to certify a youth offender as an adult.
"As we work to align our practice with this evidence, we will make every effort to keep children out of the court system when possible, and to mitigate harm for those who are system involved when we can do so in a way that simultaneously accomplishes our goals of accountability, community safety, treatment and healing," Davis wrote.
FOX 9 has reached out to Moriarty's office seeking comment on how this guidance applied in the McKeever case.
The shooting
Last November, investigators allege McKeever’s ex-boyfriend Erick Haynes bought a gun and ordered two teenagers to kill her new boyfriend, "as well as her if she got in the way."
The 15-year-old and 17-year-old boys allegedly left McKeever’s apartment riddled with bullets, while McKeever’s boyfriend jumped out of a second-story bedroom window and ran for help. But when police arrived, they found McKeever fatally shot.
After the shooting, Erick Haynes allegedly told his sister Eriana Haynes and her boyfriend James about what happened, including how one of the teenagers was shot in the leg. Prosecutors say they concocted a story to cover up the murder. Eriana Haynes and James then drove the teenager to the hospital and lied about where he was injured.
While speaking with investigators Eriana Haynes and James "continued to provide false information to police about what happened and continued to attempt to impede and obstruct the police investigation," charges read.
Prosecutors say Erick Haynes organized the crime because he was angry McKeever ended their relationship. He was charged with second-degree murder with intent and second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony killing.
Teenagers plead guilty
Family speaks out against plea deal offered to teens charged in Brooklyn Park murder [FULL]
On Sunday, Zaria McKeever’s supporters and family called on a Hennepin County judge to reject a plea deal for two teens charged with killing their 23-year-old daughter at a Brooklyn Park apartment. The family says their victim rights have been violated, accusing newly elected Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty of "prosecutorial misconduct."
The two teenagers were charged in juvenile court. The 17-year-old plead guilty, and the 15-year-old is expected to enter a guilty plea on April 7.
The family previously spoke out against the plea deal and requested the judge to reject it claiming Moriarty cared more about the teenagers who allegedly shot McKeever rather than her.
Normally, a case of felony murder involving a juvenile would have the Hennepin County Attorney's Office asking the court to certify them as an adult. Former Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman was doing that, but he retired, and Moriarty was elected.
She decided against the adult certification and instead brought forward a deal that includes two years at a juvenile correctional facility, 30 days of home monitoring upon release, and then probation until the age of 21. There is a stayed 150-month sentence if the teen violates the conditions he will go to prison.
"It's just a distraction," Epps said about these latest charges, arguing Moriarty is just trying to take pressure off her decision to make a plea deal in juvenile court with the young gunman. "Mary is mishandling this case."
If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit the hotline’s website to chat with an expert.