MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - Prosecutors said on Tuesday they had not discussed a plea deal with the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murdering an unarmed Australian woman.
Mohamed Noor, 32, did not enter a plea in Hennepin County District Court in Minneapolis at the hearing, but court documents filed last month show he intends to argue he used "reasonable force" last July when he fatally shot 40-year-old Justine Damond.
Noor, dressed in a dark suit on Tuesday, faces third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges. Previously freed on $400,000 bail, Noor did not speak at the brief hearing.
Hennepin County prosecutor Amy Sweasy, responding to a question by Judge Kathryn Quaintance, said there were no discussions about a plea deal at this time.
Noor's attorney, Tom Plunkett, previously has said his client should not have been charged and was simply following his training. Noor has offered Damond's family his condolences for their loss.
Damond, who was living in Minneapolis, called 911 to report a possible sexual assault near her house, and she approached the police after their arrival, authorities said. Noor then "recklessly" fired his handgun, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said after the officer's arrest in March.
Matthew Harrity, the officer driving the police car from which Noor had shot Damond, said he was startled by a loud sound and both officers "got spooked" when Damond appeared out of nowhere, prosecutors said.
The shooting drew condemnation in Minnesota and Australia, where Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called it "inexplicable." Then-Minneapolis police chief Janee Harteau resigned after city officials said procedures had been violated and Damond "didn't have to die."
The penalty for third-degree murder is up to 25 years in prison and second-degree manslaughter carries a penalty of up to 10 years.
Damond, also known as Justine Ruszczyk, had taken the name of her fiance, Don Damond, ahead of their planned August 2017 wedding. She owned a meditation and life-coaching company.
(Reporting by Todd Melby, writing by Ben Klayman; Editing by Susan Thomas and Bernadette Baum)
