The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has hired a team of former federal prosecutors from Steptoe LLP to take over the murder case against state trooper Ryan Londregan, who shot motorist Ricky Cobb II last summer. The $1 million initial billing cap contract outlines pay rates, end date, and the team’s reporting structure within the office. The move comes amid a shake-up in the legal team handling the case, as the assistant county attorney leading it recently left.
County Attorney Mary Moriarty stated that the goal is to achieve a just outcome and ensure accountability for the harm caused. The Hennepin County Board approved Moriarty’s request for outside counsel, although concerns were raised about the potential cost. Some, including Gov. Tim Walz, have questioned Moriarty’s decision to hire outside legal counsel, with calls for an independent review of the case.
The newly-appointed legal team consists of experienced prosecutors with backgrounds in high-profile cases and investigations. The attorneys will appear in court on May 15 to discuss scheduling and continue arguments over probable cause on June 10. Moriarty defended her decision to hire outside counsel, citing staffing constraints within her office.
The contract stipulates that all legal fees will come out of the County Attorney Office’s existing budget. Moriarty assured staff that the decision to retain outside counsel will not impact ongoing hiring efforts or result in layoffs. The new legal team’s role in the case will be closely monitored by county leaders and the public.
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