Former Minneapolis Officer to Plead Not Guilty in Justine Damond Shooting

Former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor will plead not guilty in the death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, arguing that he acted in self-defense when he fired the fatal shot from inside his police SUV.

According to a Wednesday court filing signed by his attorneys Thomas Plunkett and Peter Wold, Noor intends to claim that he used “reasonable force” when he shot Damond should the case go to trial, the Star-Tribune reports.

The document did not elaborate further on his defense strategy but mentions that Noor’s attorneys may call private investigator William O’Keefe to testify at trial. Noor’s next hearing is scheduled for May 8.

Noor’s lawyers also filed a motion for discovery, demanding the names of any potential prosecution witnesses and access to all evidence that might be used against him. Plunkett declined to comment Wednesday.

Noor was charged March 20 with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the July shooting death of Damond, 40, a spiritual healer from Australia. He was fired from the department on the same day charges were announced.