Governor Walz made the announcement during a news conference on Monday, expressing his dissatisfaction with Moriarty's handling of the case.

The decision to drop the charges against 27-year-old Ryan Londregan, who shot motorist Ricky Cobb II, was the catalyst for Governor Walz's action. Walz stated that he would have taken action himself if Moriarty had not made the controversial decision to dismiss the charges. He cited concerns about the prosecution's handling of the case from the beginning, causing apparent problems in the legal process.

In response to rumors of Governor Walz potentially intervening in the case, Hennepin County Attorney's Office spokesman Nick Kimball released a statement emphasizing that these rumors did not influence Moriarty's decision to dismiss the case. The statement explained that Moriarty felt compelled to inform the Cobb family and the community promptly after reaching the decision, ensuring they were not subjected to any further political exploitation.

Moriarty disclosed to the Star Tribune that she decided to drop the charges due to new evidence that raised ethical concerns about moving forward with the prosecution. She mentioned that she had not heard from Governor Walz and was uncertain if he had planned to take away the case, as requested by a police organization. However, Moriarty acknowledged that the current political climate and recent events, including the murder of a Minneapolis police officer, could contribute to the possibility.

The decision to drop the charges was based on a new analysis of the video footage and statements from Londregan's lawyer, Chris Madel. Madel claimed that his client feared for his partner's life, believing Cobb was reaching for Londregan's gun. This claim had not been previously raised by the defense team. The prosecution's expert analyzed the video and determined that Cobb's hand movement justified Londregan's actions, making the shooting legally justified.

Before Governor Walz made his announcement, Moriarty criticized him for commenting on her office's handling of the case, considering his oversight of the Department of Public Safety and State Troopers. Moriarty expressed her belief that her identity as a queer woman played a role in Walz's stance, suggesting that he reacted to political winds rather than focusing on building trust in the justice system.

Moriarty also highlighted the systemic barriers that hinder prosecutors from holding law enforcement officers accountable. She mentioned false claims made by Londregan's attorneys in court documents and criticized the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association for hiring his defense counsel while concurrently challenging her credibility. She condemned the association's campaign, which led to threats against her and her staff, as well as uncomfortable situations for the Cobb family.

Brian Peters, the Executive Director of the MPPOA, strongly disputed Moriarty's assertion, accusing her of attempting to save face by dismissing the charges. He believed that she knew her removal from the case would be embarrassing and viewed her decision as a calculated move.

Governor Walz's decision to remove Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty from the prosecution adds another twist to an already contentious case. The move raises questions about the delicate balance between politics, justice, and accountability within the criminal justice system.