Justine Damond killer maintains silence in US court appearance
Former US police officer Mohamed Noor was charged with Justine's death. Photo: AAP
The former US police officer who shot and killed an unarmed Australian woman last year after she called 911 to report a possible assault maintained a stony silence when he faced court over her death Wednesday morning (AEST).
Mohamed Noor, 33, is charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter over the July 25 death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond.
Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Amy Sweasy said on Tuesday that prosecutors have been providing evidence to the defence as part of pre-trial procedures.
Ms Sweasy told Judge Kathryn Quaintance that no plea negotiations are underway.
Outside the court a bystander yelled “I hope you get locked up” before being escorted away by security.
Noor’s attorney has previously filed documents indicating Noor will plead not guilty, arguing that the shooting was self-defence and involved a reasonable use of force.
Justine Damond was dressed only in her pyjamas when she was fatally shot. Photo: LinkedIn
Prosecutors say Noor was in a squad car’s passenger seat when he shot Ms Damond through the driver’s side window after she approached the vehicle.
The 40-year-old life coach and yoga instructor from Sydney called 911 to report a possible sexual assault behind her home just before midnight on July 25.
Ms Damond, unarmed and wearing her pyjamas approached the patrol car in a dark alley behind her house.
When she approached Noor’s police car he shot across his partner and out the vehicle’s window, striking Ms Damond in the stomach.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says there is no evidence Noor encountered a threat that justified deadly force.
“We have a second-by-second understanding of what happened,” Mr Freeman said in March.
“In the short time between when Ms Damond Ruszczyk approached the squad car and the time that officer Noor fired the fatal shot, there is no evidence that officer Noor encountered a threat, appreciated a threat, investigated a threat or confirmed a threat that justified his decision to use deadly force.
“Instead officer Noor intentionally and recklessly fired his handgun from the passenger seat in disregard for human life.”
Noor’s partner officer Matthew Harrity previously said the men were startled when someone banged on their patrol car.
Noor is presently free after posting US$500,000 ($660,000) bail.
-with AAP