05/11/2022
Pursuant to an agreement with the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, during a court hearing today, Mekhi Speed waived his right to a hearing to determine whether he should be tried in juvenile court. Under the terms of that agreement, the State has agreed to dismiss the most serious charge against him, 2nd Degree Intentional Murder.
Today’s hearing was a procedural requirement under the Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Delinquency Procedure. Yet news reports purportedly summarizing the legal waiver, continue to use inflammatory terms, assert outright that “Mr. Speed killed Mr. Elder” or gratuitously insert Amir Locke’s name into 140-character clickbait. In actuality, Mr. Speed’s case is proceeding in adult court towards a resolution which will involve a plea to aiding and abetting robbery resulting in death.
It is important for those in the news media to report facts and seek clarification when necessary, so that the justice system can operate free from the influences of journalistic sensationalism.
