🧐 When the state's expert gets it wrong

Ramsey County Reviews Convictions After Shoddy Testimony

Following a ruling that Ramsey County's former medical examiner provided misleading testimony in a murder trial, the Ramsey County Attorney's Office conducted a review of over 200 cases where he had testified. Seven cases were identified as needing further review, and Ramsey County Attorney John Choi announced that there would be no changes to the convictions in six of them. [Bring Me The News]

• Taking sides: Dr. Michael McGee served as Ramsey County's medical examiner from 1985 to 2019, and regularly testified in criminal cases during that time. Choi said that he believes the role of the medical examiner in a trial is "to help the state seek out the truth," but that McGee's motivation "was more about maybe helping the state’s interest" to get convictions. [Pioneer Press]
• Questionable testimony: In 2021, a federal appeals court judge ruled that McGee's testimony in the death of Dru Sjodin was "unreliable, misleading and inaccurate," and the man convicted of her murder was later able to have his death sentence overturned in favor of a life sentence. In another case, a man was freed from prison after serving 24 years for the murder of his wife – a conviction that was overturned because experts disagreed with McGee's conclusion of homicide. [Pioneer Press]
• What about the seventh case? Though convictions were upheld in six of the seven cases that underwent further review, Choi said he would not be releasing information on the seventh case publicly yet. Choi will be providing the findings of the review to the defense attorney of the person that pleaded guilty in the seventh case, but he expects that conviction to hold as well. [MPR News]

Go eat at Chimborazo: Welp, another one of my favorite restaurants caught on fire. Luckily most of the damage occurred in the basement, and Chimborazo is still open and serving their delicious Ecuadorian food on their patio. Now is a great time to enjoy some summer weather and patronize a beloved restaurant as they work to repair. [Chimborazo]

Seeking accountability: Minneapolis resident Aliya Rahman has filed a civil rights complaint with the Department of Homeland Security. Rahman was injured in January when ICE agents ripped her out of her car, and she is demanding that the DHS investigates her case and makes policy changes to avoid future excessive force by agents. Rahman's attorney said she is worried that the DHS will not be capable of investigating, as their civil rights division has dwindled from about 150 employees to less than 10 under the Trump administration. [Star Tribune]

Conservation and conversation: Environmentally conscious singles, now is your time! This Sunday at 10 a.m., the Minneapolis Buckthorn Removal Singles Club is meeting at the staircase of the Franklin Avenue Bridge and East River Parkway intersection to remove some invasive plants and find love. [Buckthorn Removal Singles Club]

• We want to hear from you: What other niche affinity gatherings could make for a great singles mixer? Personally, I think snake spotting in Theo Wirth Park would be a great time. Reply to this email with your thoughts and we may pitch your idea on tomorrow's episode of the podcast!

Let there be lights: St. Paul currently bans mini golf courses and the use of overhead lights on city-owned golf courses, and city staff have no idea why. Officials are looking to repeal both of those restrictions with an immediate plan to extend the hours of the driving range at the Highland National Golf Course in hopes of generating more revenue for the city. [Star Tribune]

Plan ahead: Reminder that the Blue Line train will be closed for maintenance starting Monday, and won't reopen until August 19. Green Line service to downtown Minneapolis will also be disrupted, and buses will be used to temporarily fill the gaps in transit infrastructure. My advice is to plan for some extra time on your trips, and download the Transit app for routing – Metro Transit pays for every Twin Cities resident to get a free premium account, and it's a good resource for planning your commute. [Bring Me The News]

Thursday, June 25

• 🆓 Music on the Cortile: Obi Original | Landmark Center
• 🆓 City Cast LIVE Podcast Taping (FREE COFFEE!) | Pilllar Forum
• 🆓 Sunsetmaxxing: Party on the Terrace | Walker Art Center
• 🆓 Lynnhurst Porchfest | Lynnhurst Neighborhood
• 🥁 L.A. Buckner & BiG HOMiE: Single Release Party | Dakota
• 🎭 Insane Animals (American Premiere) | Elision Playhouse
• 🎬 Kinky Boots (with pre-movie burlesque) | Parkway Theater
• 🏳️‍🌈 Voilà! A Drag Cabaret | Volstead's Uptown
• 🆓 Pride in Concert (with Keep for Cheap) | Minneapolis Institute of Art

Friday, June 26

• 🆓 Free Coffee Courtesy of City Cast | Pilllar Forum
• 🆓 TC Pride Youth Night | Loring Park
• 🏳️‍🌈 14th Annual Pride Beer Dabbler | Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
• 😂 Sam Schedler Presents: Pride Weekend Comedy | Sisyphus Brewing
• 🏳️‍🌈 Sips & Slays | Sociable Cider Werks
• 🏳️‍🌈 Country Queers Make Do (Emmy Woods / Lake Davi / TOMBOYY / Pine & Fire) | Turf Club
• 💃 DJ Keezy: The Klituation Pride Party | First Avenue

• Division Chief, Pediatric Surgery at University of Minnesota Medical School | $700k – $800k per year
• Senior Director for Strategic Communications at University of Minnesota | $175k – $205k per year
• Chief Advancement Officer at Catholic Charities of the Twin Cities | $192k – $232k per year
• Senior Donor Advisor at Greater Twin Cities United Way | $110k – $120k per year
• Theater Teacher at Groves Learning Organization | $55k – $80k per year