Prosecutor in shooting death of Daunte Wright resigns, citing overall partisan politics and ‘vitriol’
The prosecutor on the case of the shooting death of Daunte Wright has resigned, citing “vitriol” and divisive politics that make the job of obtaining justice near impossible.
The resignation of Imran Ali, assistant criminal division chief at the Washington County Attorney’s Office, comes two days after Minnesota announced that state attorney general Keith Ellison would take over the case.
“The last several weeks have been difficult for me and my family,” Ali wrote in a resignation letter dated Monday and published by KARE-11. “The vitriol from some and the infusion of partisan politics by many has made my job difficult to pursue justice.”
In addition to prosecuting former officer Kim Potter, who resigned after killing the 20-year-old, Ellison will review the criminal charges. Ali had supported the charges of second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 shooting, according to The Associated Press, while public pressure has been strong to upgrade them to murder.
Washington County Attorney Pete Orput has also been under intense pressure and scrutiny to increase the second-degree manslaughter charge to murder, reported KQDS-TV.
Former Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon, who later also resigned, said that Potter grabbed her gun thinking it was her Taser.
Wright’s shooting took place during the trial of Minnesota ex-cop Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd last May. He was found guilty on murder charges.
Ali did not resign over the Wright case, Orput told The Daily Beast of his former employee. Ali did not give specific reasons for his departure, but Orput told The Daily Beast that his sense was that Ali had “had enough” and wanted out.
Ali wrote that he prays for healing and for the dissipation of partisan platforms.
“We must return to thoughtful discourse that unites, not impulsive, irrational talking points that divide,” he wrote upon leaving his post of 10 years. “Until then, there will be no justice or peace.”
With News Wire Services
