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Murder
To see just how successful our approach is, here are some representative results:
State v. J.G.
April, 2024
Charges: 3rd Degree Murder; Controlled Substance - Felony Counts
Resolution:
Plea to a drug count and dismiss the murder count. Mr. Adkins and his team convinced a judge, and eventually the State, to completely abandon a murder allegation, concerning delivery of drugs/fentanyl that resulted in an overdose death, simply based upon Mr. Adkins' assessment of the evidence and a timeline he prepared. This case, involving more than fourteen (!!) victim impact statements and a palpable political environment, was closed with no further jail, a relatively brief period of probation, and a life utterly recovered from despair and panic. This client has followed Mr. Adkins' express directives as well as any client in three decades of practice, and it mattered, right up to the moment the judge pronounced sentence and thanked Mr. Adkins for his efforts. Wins like this are why we exist.
State v. B.G.
May, 2023
Charges: 3 counts each of: Attempted 2nd Degree Murder; 1st Degree Assault; 2nd Degree Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
Resolution:
Acquittal at trial on ALL nine counts. A vigorous case led to a trial that spilled in to a second week. The North Star team fought tooth and nail the entire case and prepared a strong self-defense and defense of others defense. While the video evidence supported these affirmative defenses, ultimately defending 13 bullets and two innocent minor bystanders getting hit is no easy task. But, Mr. Adkins and Mr. Gempeler were up to the task. After the case was submitted, the jury deliberated for only 3 hours (including the lunch hour) before returning Not Guilty verdicts on all nine counts. The client and his family got the justice he so rightfully deserved and they are thrilled they had the North Star team fighting for them when they needed it the most.
State v. T.F.
September, 2022
Charges: Murder in the Second Degree, Conspiracy, Aiding and Abetting
Resolution:
Stunning result... Client already in prison, serving a parole violation, gets essentially time served, rather than a possible life sentence, in a high-profile murder case, without the requirement to testify on behalf of the State. A lifetime in defense work has left Mr. Adkins in position to negotiate from strength, but with compassion and verve--and it matters, for complex cases, and clients facing such massive draconian results. His family cannot wait to have him back, and now they will, and soon.
In Re: Confidential
June, 2021
Charges: Pre-Charge - 3rd Degree Murder
Resolution:
A young man's best friend, and frequent partner in addiction, turns up dead from an overdose, and our man has been texting him that very day about providing him with synthetic and fentanyl-laced pills--and just that type of narcotic triggered the overdose. After an initial (disastrous!) phone call with the lead homicide detective in Ramsey County, our man calls Mr. Adkins. After North Star's intervention, the investigation into our client is closed, no charges filed, no (second) life destroyed, no prison, no trial.... Never, never ever confront police alone, or without the assistance of talented aggressive PROVEN trial winners, like James or Dan. Just don't--the police are exceptional at obtaining inculpatory statements, and you have no training in this field. Mr. Adkins has successfully extracted folks from possible felony exposure since before graduating law school, back in the Stone Age. There are no tricks, no traps, no verbal judo battles he's not avoided, or removed, or prevailed in for his clients. Simply a staggering result, and deeply appreciated by the client and his loving, relieved family.
State v. M.S.
July, 2015
Charges: Murder in the First Degree
Resolution:
Another Miranda win for Dan, although this time with limited implications on the conviction, and the resultant mandatory sentence. This matter has been cited multiple times by courts around the country on the premise of reinitiated interrogations of a target in a murder investigation. Mr. Staats, initially approached as a potential witness in an horrific execution-style murder by another man, Mark Dahlin, gave two relatively innocuous statements to police, but after being arrested and taken to the Minnetonka Police Department for further questioning, he realized the importance of having a lawyer present. The balance of his comments to police—comprising five additional conversations and several hours of recordings, were later deemed by the Minnesota Supreme Court to have been erroneously admitted. Unfortunately, the combination of a state-favoring judge and an utterly horrible set of facts (the decedent wandered around in bare feet soaking up his own blood, dying only moments later…), resulted in a bit of a Pyrrhic victory—the sentence was upheld, at least initially, and the rejection of the statements provides only cold comfort. This case represents the absolute truth, one of the most inarguable statements a person can ever make: NEVER NEVER NEVER TALK TO POLICE, regardless of the circumstances. NEVER. Had Mr. Staats been cautious enough to demand legal counsel immediately upon being approached by investigators, he would be free today, utterly without responsibility for another man’s homicidal rage, and much the wiser for his close call. STAY SILENT, and call Dan or James STAT.
Types of Charge(s): Murder