Three people are facing criminal charges associated with a robbery and assault that reportedly took place in late September in Minnesota. So far, two of the individuals have been taken into custody for allegedly committing both felonies and misdemeanors. Meanwhile, a warrant was issued for the third one.
According to police, the three individuals punched a man and threatened him with a rifle. They also reportedly took some personal items from him. A 20-year-old man faces charges of aggravated robbery in the first degree and assault in the second degree. His bail is $150,000.
A 32-year-old man faces a charge of felony aggravated robbery in the first degree — liability for crimes of another, as well as a charge of committing a misdemeanor assault in the fifth degree. His bail is also $150,000. Police said they were still looking for a 29-year-old woman who they say committed felony aggravated robbery in the first degree — liability for crimes of another.
As a case involving felonies moves forward through Minnesota’s criminal justice system, the person facing charges — alongside his or her legal counsel — might have the chance to negotiate a plea deal in exchange for lesser charges and/or personally favorable sentencing considerations. Whether to accept such a deal, if offered, rests with the individual who is facing charges. In this situation, the defendant retains the right to demand a trial by jury on the merits of the formal accusations. At trial, the defendant will essentially force the prosecution to prove every element of the pending charges — a burden that is often difficult to meet.