Current:Home > ScamsCharges dropped against man accused of fleeing police in a high-speed chase that killed a bystander-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Charges dropped against man accused of fleeing police in a high-speed chase that killed a bystander
View Date:2024-12-23 23:53:05
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Charges were dropped on Friday against the man who was accused of fleeing police in a high-speed chase that resulted in the death of a bystander in Minneapolis two years ago.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office dismissed counts of fleeing police and auto theft against James Jeremiah Jones-Drain, 20, citing an “inability to prove all of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt at this time,” according to a brief court filing, the Star Tribune reported.
Jones-Drain remains in custody with other cases pending — including felony charges of robbery and illegally possessing a gun — according to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s website.
Brian Cummings, the former Minneapolis police officer involved in the chase, was sentenced in July to nine months in the county workhouse, with eligibility for electronic home monitoring in three months, after pleading guilty to criminal vehicular homicide in the high-speed chase.
Prosecutors said at the time that Cummings was pursuing a suspected car thief on July 6, 2021, when he ran a red light and hit a car driven by Leneal Frazier, 40, of St. Paul, who died at the scene. Frazier’s niece was Darnella Frazier, who shot the cellphone video of George Floyd’s death when former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck in 2020.
Cummings was driving nearly 80 mph (129 kph) in Minneapolis with his siren and lights activated when his squad car slammed into the vehicle, officials have said. The crash ended a chase that lasted more than 20 blocks, including through residential neighborhoods where the posted speed limit was 25 mph (40 kph).
Thomas Plunkett, attorney for Cummings, said in an email, “Mr. Cummings risked his life many times to protect people. He sits in jail. Mr. Jones-Drain, a gun toting thief, who bears responsibility for the death of Leneal Frasier, and stole from the innocent gets a break? Minneapolis is a better place to be a criminal than a law enforcement officer.”
Jones-Drain’s attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
veryGood! (426)
Related
- What Republicans are saying about Matt Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general
- Taylor Swift Joins Travis Kelce's Mom at Kansas City Chiefs Game
- UAW strike: Union battle with Detroit automakers escalates to PR war, will hurt consumers
- Woman's body found in jaws of Florida alligator
- Paraguay vs. Argentina live updates: Watch Messi play World Cup qualifying match tonight
- Ohio State moves up as top five gets shuffled in latest US LBM Coaches Poll
- When does 'The Voice' Season 24 start? Premiere date, how to watch, judges and more
- A Black student was suspended for his hairstyle. Now, his family is suing Texas officials.
- RHOBH's Kyle Richards Shares Reaction to BFF Teddi Mellencamp's Divorce
- AI is on the world’s mind. Is the UN the place to figure out what to do about it?
Ranking
- Social media star squirrel euthanized after being taken from home tests negative for rabies
- Retiring Megan Rapinoe didn't just change the game with the USWNT. She changed the world.
- Israel strikes Gaza for the second time in two days after Palestinian violence
- WEOWNCOIN: The Fusion of Cryptocurrency and the Internet of Things—Building the Future of the Smart Economy
- 'Yellowstone's powerful opening: What happened to Kevin Costner's John Dutton?
- When does 'Survivor' start? Season 45 cast, premiere date, start time, how to watch
- Pakistan recalls an injectable medicine causing eye infection, sight loss and orders a probe
- Archaeologists unearth the largest cemetery ever discovered in Gaza and find rare lead sarcophogi
Recommendation
-
Are banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx open on Veterans Day? Here's what to know
-
Fight erupts during UAW strike outside Stellantis plant, racial slurs and insults thrown
-
Former President Jimmy Carter makes appearance at peanut festival ahead of his 99th birthday
-
Happy Bruce Springsteen Day! The Boss turns 74 as his home state celebrates his birthday
-
Chipotle unveils cilantro-scented soap, 'water' cup candles in humorous holiday gift line
-
When does 'Survivor' start? Season 45 cast, premiere date, start time, how to watch
-
Kosovo mourns a slain police officer, some Serb gunmen remain at large after a siege at a monastery
-
Deion Sanders' message after Colorado's blowout loss at Oregon: 'You better get me right now'