Cody Fohrenkam was been found guilty by a jury in the February 2022 murder of 15-year-old DeShaun Hill on Thursday. The trial was handed over to the jury this afternoon, and it took them less than an hour to reach their verdict.
Reaction outside the courtroom from family and city officials ranged from satisfied, to upset about the prevalence of gun violence in the Twin Cities.
Hill’s father, DeShaun Hill, Sr., said they are pleased with the outcome.
“I’m just happy to say we got the justice that we needed and that’s it,” said Hill Sr. “I’m happy for my son, you know what I mean. Happy for all our family. We finally get to breathe.”
With the jury coming back in under an hour, it was clear they had no hesitation about finding Fohrenkam guilty of both counts: 2nd degree murder with intent, not premeditated, and 2nd degree murder while committing a felony.
One juror who spoke to WCCO said it was difficult to take in all of the evidence during the trial.
“A mom lost her son,” said the anonymous juror. “That’s weighing on your heart, each and every day. Every second you’re in court. Every time we had to hear the gun shot video. It’s heavy.”
Hill’s mother, Tuesday Sheppard, thanked the North Minneapolis community for providing evidence in the trial.
“It was the community, that’s who it was,” Sheppard says. “The community came. With their Ring cameras, their phones, everything.”
Newly elected Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty also thanked the community for their efforts. |
“This conviction was possible only because several people from the community showed extraordinary courage and helped law enforcement identify the person responsible and hold him accountable,” Moriarty explained.
Moriarty said gun violence too prevalent in the community.
“With this verdict, Mr. Fohrenkam is legally accountable for taking Mr. Hill’s live,” says Moriarty. “Gun violence is far too common in our communities. The prevalence of guns in our neighborhoods means even the smallest of incidents can turn violent.”
Moriarty adds that there is work to be done to keep the Twin Cities safe.
“As a community we must take this violence seriously and it must spur us to action,” Moriarty says. “I’m committed to doing my part, working with others in the community and at all levels to help get guns off the streets, bring justice for victims and their families, and to protect those not yet harmed by working to prevent violent crime in the first place.”
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara talked about the amount of gun violence in the Twin Cities being unacceptable, but this verdict showing that the community is willing to take a stand and stop it from continuing.
“There are no charges, no verdict, that can take away the pain and suffering this has caused,” O’Hara says. “Murder is the pinnacle of injustice. Every act of murder, every act of gun violence in our city causes immeasurable harm. And the fact remains, there is an outrageous and completely unacceptable amount of gun violence in our city.”
