Lawyers for Minneapolis cop who shot dead woman after she called 911 plan to report a rape are set to inspect his police SUV when the moon is in the exact same phase as it was the night of her death
- Attorneys for Mohamed Noor will inspect the police SUV on Friday night
- Moon will be in same phase as in July 2017 shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond
- Damond called 911 to report a suspected sexual assault behind her home
- She ran outside in pajamas and Noor shot her dead from inside a vehicle
- Noor plans to plead not guilty to charges of murder and manslaughter
Attorneys for a former Minneapolis officer who fatally shot an Australian woman last year have been given approval to inspect the police vehicle from which the shot was fired.
Mohamed Noor's lawyers asked for access to the SUV on Friday because the moon will be in the exact same phase as it was on the night in July 2017 when he fatally shot Justine Ruszczyk Damond.
A Hennepin County judge approved the request on Thursday.
Authorities say Noor shot Damond after she called to report a possible sexual assault happening in an alley behind her Minneapolis home. Damond rushed outside in her pajamas to meet the officers when they arrived and Noor opened fire.
Mohamed Noor's (above) lawyers asked for access to the SUV on Friday because the moon will be in the exact same phase as it was on the night of the shooting in July 2017
Justine Ruszczyk Damond called police to report a suspected rape behind her home in July 2017, and was shot by Noor when he responded to the call for service
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Sitting in the passenger seat, Noor fired past his partner, who was behind the wheel, as Damond approached the driver-side window.
Noor's attorneys have indicated he will plead not guilty to charges of second- and third-degree murder and manslaughter.
The second-degree murder charge was added earlier this month, after prosecutors said evidence shows Noor intended to kill Damond when he aimed and fired at her.
State prosecutor and head of the County Attorney's office, Mike Freeman, has previously said that there was 'no evidence' that Noor was threatened by Damond.
'In the short time between when Ms Damond-Ruszczyk approached the squad car and the time Officer Noor fired the fatal shot, there is no evidence that officer Noor encountered a threat, appreciated a threat, investigated a threat or confirmed a threat that justified his decision to use deadly force,' he said.
The scene of the shooting is seen in July 2017. Lawyers for Noor want to recreate the scene under the precise phase of the moon
'Instead, Officer Noor recklessly and intentionally fired his handgun from the passenger seat in disregard for human life. Such actions violate the criminal law.
Damond's family said in a written statement that they're pleased that Freeman decided to bring charges.
They said they hope a strong case will be presented and Noor will be convicted, calling the charges 'one step toward justice for this iniquitous act'.
'No charges can bring our Justine back,' Damond's father John Ruszcyzk and partner Don Damond said in the joint statement.
'However, justice demands accountability for those responsible for recklessly killing the fellow citizens they are sworn to protect.'
