The Minnesota Court of Appeals has thrown out the conviction of a man who was convicted of shooting and killing a Minneapolis North high school student.
In a decision from the State Court of Appeals, they said incriminating statements made by 31-year-old Cody Fohrenkam inside the Carlton County Jail were illegally collected by law enforcement, and that those statements shouldn't have been used in court.
Twin Cities' defense attorney Jack Rice, who is not affiliated with the case, says this a situation where the Minneapolis Police Department made mistakes during their investigation.
"What the court of appeals really did is they slapped down the police department. The Minneapolis Police Department screwed up in this case," says Rice. "And what they shouldn't have done is gone and talked to this man the way that they did. As a result, all of those statements, everything he said, is simply out."
Fohrenkam was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to nearly 40 years in prison for gunning down Deshaun Hill Junior, a rising football star and Minneapolis North student, as he was walking home from school in February 2022.
Fohrenkam argued his statements from jail were made after a court ordered his release and before he was freed from custody.
Fohrenkam was been found guilty on all counts, second-degree murder with intent, not premeditated, and second-degree murder while committing a felony, in the shooting death of Hill.
The state and defense rested without Fohrenkam taking the stand during closing arguments back in January of 2023. He was then sentenced to 38 and a half years in prison. It took the jury less than an hour to reach its verdict.
This is a developing story. Stay with WCCO Radio for more information.