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Minneapolis Jury Convicts David Wright of First-Degree Murder in Mariah Samuels’ Killing

The verdict intensifies scrutiny of Minneapolis police over how they handled Samuels’ pleas for protection.

Overview

  • The conviction, which came Wednesday, carries an automatic life sentence without parole with sentencing set for Friday at 10 a.m.
  • Police found Samuels, 34, shot near the open door of a Jeep on the 1400 block of Russell Avenue North, where investigators collected 15 cartridge casings.
  • Samuels filed for an order for protection three weeks before the killing, alleging Wright attacked her and held a gun to her head.
  • Multiple witnesses said Wright tried to pull her from the Jeep before taking a bicycle from the car and riding away.
  • The attorney’s office said she posted minutes before the shooting that Wright had threatened her family and damaged her car.