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Minnesota Supreme Court grants new trial in Crow Wing County murder case
The court said a jury-instruction error may have affected the verdict and ordered a new trial, while upholding the cellphone evidence ruling.
- In a 4-3 decision issued Wednesday, the Minnesota Supreme Court granted a new trial for Michael LaFlex, a Merrifield man convicted of murdering Bryce Brogle, finding the lower court's jury instructions constituted plain error.
- A Crow Wing County jury found LaFlex guilty in 2024 of shooting Brogle at a Mission Township facility in 2022. LaFlex admitted to the shooting but argued he acted in the heat of passion to protect his daughter.
- Writing for the majority, Justice Paul Thissen argued district courts must not dictate the order in which juries consider charges. Failing to correct this error could undermine public confidence in the judiciary's integrity and fairness.
- Justice Anne McKeig, joined by Justice Paul Moore III and Justice Sarah Hennesy, disagreed, arguing the error was invited by defense counsel. They contended granting relief would erode public trust by permitting inconsistent legal positions.
- No date has been set for a new trial following the remand, and LaFlex continues to serve his sentence at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Oak Park Heights. The case returns to the district court for proceedings.
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Minnesota Supreme Court grants new trial in Crow Wing County murder case
Michael LaFlex was sentenced to life in prison without parole for shooting and killing his daughter's boyfriend, Bryce Bogle, in 2022 in Mission Township.
·Cherokee County, United States
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New Trial Ordered for Merrifield Man Found Guilty of Murder in 2024
A 49-year-old Merrifield man who was found guilty in 2024 of murdering his daughter's boyfriend will get a new trial. The Minnesota Supreme Court issued a decision Wednesday that reversed the second-degree murder conviction of Michael LaFlex and ordered a new trial. LaFlex had been convicted in connection with the…
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Total News Sources17
Leaning Left0Leaning Right6Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
C 57%
R 43%
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