The grieving family of Justine Damond may be forced to wait until next year to receive justice for her death.
The 40-year-old Australian woman was shot dead in her pyjamas outside her Minneapolis home on July 15 by police officer Mohamed Noor.
Prosecutors say it may take up to six months to decide whether Noor will be charged and denied the legal system was protecting the officer.
‘We have received some e-mails and phone calls from members of the community demanding that we charge the officer immediately and ascribing all kinds of nefarious reasons as to why we haven’t done so,’ Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freemann said in a statement.
The grieving family of Justine Damond may be forced to wait until next year to receive justice for her death
Justine Damond (pictured left with fiance Don) was shot dead in her pyjamas outside her Minneapolis home on July 15 by policeman Mohamed Noor
Prosecutors say it may take up to six months to lay charges against Mr Noor (pictured right) and denied the legal system was protecting the officer
‘The truth is, we are following the same procedure we have with the three previous officer-involved shootings.’
Minneapolis and neighbouring St Paul have a controversial history of police shootings.
Last year Mr Freeman sparked outrage when he announced charges would not be laid against two Minneapolis officers involved in the fatal shooting of African-American man Jamar Clark.
It took more than six months for that decision.
‘Usually from the time of the officer firing the shot until our office’s announcement of a decision, four to six months have elapsed,’ he said.
‘I fully expect a decision in this case before the end of 2017.’
‘Justice for Justine’ protest marches through Minnesota in support of the Australian woman
The grieving family of Justine Damond may be forced to wait until next year to receive justice for her death
Ms Damond a life coach originally from Sydney’s northern beaches, was in her pyjamas when she went out to Noor’s patrol car just before midnight.
Noor was in the front passenger seat and shot across his partner and out the driver’s side window, hitting Ms Damond in the stomach.
Ms Damond’s father, John Ruszczyk, demanded justice for his daughter at an emotional memorial in Minneapolis earlier this month.
‘We are determined to get justice for Justine, because in getting justice for her, we will be getting justice for all of us,’ he said.
Noor has refused to be interviewed by investigators.