A Minnesota teen accused of killing a girl in a car crash in February - after being freed by America's most lenient prosecutor - has finally been charged in connection with the 11-year-old's death.
Conner Michael Iversen, 18, even allegedly went on to commit yet another heinous act days after the crash, a violent stabbing, marking his third alleged offense in under three months.
Iversen was charged with criminal vehicular homicide in the February 26 death of Lilyana Loycano after initially being let off the hook by Hennepin County District Attorney Mary Moriarty.
Moriarty, a career public defender before becoming district attorney, has faced mounting criticism for her soft-on-crime approach, often prioritizing leniency over public safety.
She appears to have changed her tune after the case was brought back to her office's attention in mid-July.
On February 26, at approximately 8 a.m., he allegedly ran a stop sign, T-boning an SUV carrying the Loycano family.
Lilyana, 11, was critically injured and died two days later. Still, he was able to walk free.
Just 48 hours after Lilyana's death, Iversen allegedly stabbed a man at Theodore Wirth Parkway and Olson Highway in Golden Valley on February 28.
The victim, who had attempted to help Iversen by offering him a ride, suffered stab wounds to the leg and facial injuries after being struck with a large stick, according to a criminal complaint.
Police later tracked Iversen to a nearby maintenance building, where he had allegedly broken in and was found covered in blood and scratches.
Before authorities located Iversen, investigators suspect he may have broken into a home in the Hidden Lakes neighborhood, stolen an e-bike, and attempted to enter several other residences.
Since taking office, Moriarty has repeatedly faced backlash for decisions that prioritize leniency over justice.
In her first week in office, she dismissed charges against a 35-year-old man accused of raping a 14-year-old girl due to a legal technicality, preventing him from ever being retried.
In the case of Stephen Markey, a man gunned down during a carjacking, Moriarty offered one of the teenage killers just five years of probation, meaning he may never serve a single day in prison.
Despite repeated pleas from victims' families and public officials — including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison — Moriarty has refused to change course.
Even when Governor Tim Walz intervened to remove her from a case involving a brutal home invasion murder, she remained defiant. 'I stand by my decisions,' Moriarty told the press, dismissing public concerns as mere 'pushback.'
Only after multiple crimes, including the fatal crash and brutal stabbing, has Iversen finally been held.
Read complete articleHer originally not charging Iversen despite his seemingly reckless disregard for the law has sparked further outrage.
Feral teen repeatedly freed before killing girl charged with homicide
Conner Michael Iversen, 18, even allegedly went on to commit yet another heinous act days later, a violent stabbing, marking his third alleged offense in under three months.
A witness told police that she was behind the victim’s vehicle at a four-way stop and that it was their turn to go. She said that Iversen drove through the intersection without stopping and hit both the victim vehicle and a nearby truck.
A crash reconstruction showed that Iversen was driving 63 mph at the time of the crash — the posted speed limit was 50 mph. Investigators also found that Iversen was using his phone in the moments leading up to the crash.
Jail records show Iversen is currently facing several cases in Hennepin County:
- Third-degree assault
- Receiving stolen property
- Fleeing police in a motor vehicle
Charges: Driver was on his phone leading up to crash that killed 11-year-old girl
Conner Michael Iversen, 18, faces one count of criminal vehicular homicide for driving in a grossly negligent manner.
kstp.com
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