American cop who shot dead an Australian mother and life coach, 40, who was just weeks away from marrying her fiance appeals his 12-year prison sentence for murder
- Mohamed Noor shot 40-year-old Justine Damond in July 2017 in Minneapolis
- In April he was convicted of third-degree murder and also of manslaughter
- He was jailed for 12.5 years in June but is now appealing the convictions
- Noor has said his murder conviction ‘debased the criminal justice system’
The former US police officer who shot dead Australian life coach has appealed his prison sentence.
Mohamed Noor, 34, is serving a 12-and-a-half year prison sentence for the murder of 40-year-old Justine Ruszczyk Damond, originally from Sydney, in an alley behind her Minneapolis home on July 2017.
A Minneapolis jury found Noor guilty a year ago of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter but filed an appeal on Friday and is requesting a new trial as he claims his murder conviction ‘debased the criminal justice system.’
Mohamed Noor, 34, is serving a 12-and-a-half year prison sentence for the murder of 40-year-old Justine Ruszczyk Damond (pictured), originally from Sydney, in an alley behind her Minneapolis home on July 2017
‘Noor’s prosecution was a sordid series of events that debased the criminal justice system,’ Noor’s legal team wrote in a 69-page appellant’s brief filed in the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
‘Noor’s convictions must be reversed and his case remanded for a new trial.’
Ms Damond’s tragic death and Noor’s conviction created global headlines.
Ms Damond was weeks away from marrying her American fiance Don Damond.
She was home alone just before midnight on July 15, 2017 when she heard a woman’s screams coming from the alley.
She called 911 and when Noor’s police vehicle pulled up in the dark alley she walked out barefoot and in her pyjamas.
Noor claimed he thought he was being ambushed and, while sitting in his police car, shot across his partner Matthew Harrity.
The bullet went out the vehicle’s window and fatally struck Ms Damond in the stomach.
A Minneapolis jury found Noor (pictured) guilty a year ago of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter but filed an appeal on Friday and is requesting a new trial as he claims his murder conviction ‘debased the criminal justice system’
Noor, in his appeal, claims he was deprived of his due-process right when he was prevented from ‘providing crucial context’ for why he perceived an ambush.
Noor also claimed there was insufficient evidence to sustain his third degree murder conviction and overcome his defence he reasonably used deadly force as a police officer.
The appeal also argues prosecutors ‘drew on demographic and gender biases to suggest that it was unreasonable for Noor to fear for his and Officer Harrity’s safety’.
Noor’s lawyers describe how prosecutors emphasised to the jury Ms Damond was ‘a Caucasian female’ living in a ‘peaceful, single-family, residential neighbourhood in South Minneapolis’.
‘The State repeatedly sought to shield from the jury the context for Noor’s perception that he and his partner were under ambush, even though that perception is precisely why Noor decided to use deadly force,’ Noor’s lawyers wrote.
‘Simply put, the State sought to deny Noor even the ability to defend himself.’
Ms Damond’s family filed a $US50 million ($A79 million) civil lawsuit against Minneapolis last year and just days after Noor’s conviction the city agreed to pay $US20 million ($A31 million).