MINNEAPOLIS – A 24-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he shot five demonstrators protesting the shooting death of a black man by Minneapolis police in November.
Allen Scarsella of Lakeville faces assault and riot charges in Hennepin County. In a court filing Wednesday, defense attorneys said Scarsella will argue he acted in self-defense.
Prosecutors allege Scarsella and three other men meant to cause trouble on Nov. 23 when they went to an encampment of demonstrators protesting the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Jamar Clark in a confrontation with two white officers. Charges allege Scarsella, who is white, shot and wounded five men.
Minnesota Public Radio News (http://bit.ly/21n1jqz ) reports Scarsella's lawyers argue the men were only filming the protest when they were confronted.
The three other men haven't yet entered pleas to riot charges.
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Information from: Minnesota Public Radio News, http://www.mprnews.org
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