Rep. Ellison Statement on Hennepin County Attorney Freeman Declining Charges in Jamar Clark Case

Washington – Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement after Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced that he would decline to bring charges in the Jamar Clark case:

 

“Today, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman declined to bring criminal charges against two Minneapolis police officers involved in the shooting of Jamar Clark. This decision to decline charges does not absolve our broken criminal justice system. It does not foreclose federal action or civil action for violation of Jamar Clark’s civil rights. It does not change the persistent, systemic disparities facing the residents of North Minneapolis, some of which are the worst in the nation.

 

“There are critical issues we must address if we hope to build trust. We must increase accountability through the use of body cameras.  We must improve police training and policies to emphasize de-escalation tactics and the use of non-lethal means whenever possible. We must invest in North Minneapolis, where unemployment is high and opportunities are scarce.  

 

“Transparency is critical to our criminal justice system. Making decisions behind closed doors through a grand jury leads to community distrust. By taking responsibility for the charging decision, County Attorney Freeman set an important precedent for openness and accountability. Whether you agree or disagree with the decision, it is important that the evidence is now open to review and that County Attorney Freeman presented his full reasoning to the public. 

 

“Jamar Clark’s death has brought pain to his family, friends, neighbors, and community. Nothing about County Attorney Freeman’s decision to decline criminal charges diminishes the importance of Jamar’s contributions in this world or the sadness of his death.  

 

“It’s going to take all of us – elected officials, activists, residents – to make the changes our community desperately needs.”