Judge grants new trial for man convicted in Loesch killing

By Jake Weyer

Jamaal Freeman, convicted in May of killing Kingfield resident Mark Loesch in September 2007, flashed a relieved smile and nodded toward his family when entering a Hennepin County courtroom Aug. 17, just hours after Judge Mark Wernick granted him a new trial.  

Defense attorneys Emmett Donnelly and Shawn Kennon filed the motion for a retrial, claiming the prosecution didn’t disclose police notes that pointed to the possible involvement of a 12-year-old boy in the crime. The lawyers also requested acquittal, which Wernick denied. But the judge explained in a 33-page order why he thought a new trial was needed.

“In this case, the prosecutor’s failure to make timely disclosure of evidence favorable to Jamaal Freeman deprived the jury of a fair

Check it out // Kings opens

By Sarah McKenzie

I’m something of a tater tot connoisseur.

Until recently I have been partial to the tots at the Spring Street Tavern in Northeast and Cuzzy’s in the North Loop neighborhood.

Now, I’d have to say the best tots I have ever tasted are served up by the folks at the new Kings Wine Bar in the Kingfield neighborhood. The potato bites are paired with a delicious bacon and Gruyere cheese dipping sauce.

The wine bar opened on Aug. 15. Sisters Molly Hanson and Samantha Loesch are the entrepreneurs behind the venue. They came up with the concept as a way to move in a positive direction after the murder of Loesch’s husband Mark in 2007.

While it’s been a major undertaking, Hanson said they feel great about how Kings has come

Photo by Robb Long

Chris Jackman (pictured) and friend Greg Alford had no restaurant experience before opening C&G’s Smoking Barbecue at 48th Street and Nicollet Avenue this spring.

Slump doesn’t scare startups

By Jake Weyer

New independent businesses take off in Southwest despite the stormy economic climate

The sun is always shining in Greg Alford’s world.

That’s why he always wears sunglasses, why he’s not overly concerned about the nation’s financial troubles and why he and friend Chris Jackman, known as C.J., can start a brand-new restaurant without any previous experience and not worry about it.

“I just know that people are going to eat,” Alford said. “If you give them good food and reasonable prices, they’re going to eat.”

His theory has proven true so far. Since opening C&G’s Smoking Barbecue June 8 at 48th Street and Nicollet Avenue, Jackman (C) and Alford (G) have had a steady

Judge grants new trial for alleged killer of Kingfield cyclist

UPDATED August 17, 2009, 1:16pm

By Elizabeth Sias

A Hennepin County District Court judge granted a new trial Monday for Jamaal Freeman, who was convicted earlier this year of second-degree murder in the September 2007 death of Kingfield resident Mark Loesch.

Judge Mark Wernick ordered the new trial because evidence regarding the alleged involvement of a 12-year-old boy in the killing was withheld until late in the first trial. The new trial will begin Feb. 16.

“The prosecutor’s failure to make timely disclosure of evidence favorable to Jamaal Freeman deprived the jury of a fair opportunity to determine whether the State proved guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” Wernick stated in his ruling.

A jury convicted Freeman in May after a two-week trial. A second man, Donald Jackson, pleaded g

Sentencing delayed for man convicted of Loesch murder

UPDATED June 24, 2009, 3:55pm

By Jake Weyer

Sentencing of Jamaal Freeman, convicted in May of second-degree murder for the September 2007 beating death of Kingfield resident Mark Loesch, has been delayed at least a month.

Freeman was supposed to be sentenced June 22, but the date was moved after defense attorneys requested a new trial, arguing that police and prosecutors did not fully document their investigation of the murder and possible suspects were overlooked. Hennepin County District Court Judge Mark Wernick will decide July 29 whether to grant the trial.

He will also rule on the defense’s request for acquittal and downward departure, a legal term for a lighter sentence than the norm. Depending on how he rules on the defense’s requests, Wernick might sentence Freeman July 29, said the judge’s

Submitted photo

Mark Loesch with two of his children.

Closing arguments set for today in Loesch murder trial

UPDATED May 19, 2009, 4:43pm

By Jake Weyer

Closing arguments will begin today in the trial of Jamaal Freeman, accused of killing Kingfield resident and father of four Mark Loesch in September 2007 in south Minneapolis.

Hennepin County District Court Judge Mark Wernick closed the trial to the public May 19 during testimony of the defense’s last witness, who feared attacks from inmates upon his return to a federal prison out of state.

Whether to close the trial, now in its eighth day, was a subject of debate for several hours. The debate involved an attorney for the Star Tribune, who pushed for an open meeting and told the judge the paper couldn’t promise not using the witness’ name if it somehow surfaced in trial or out of court.

It did, shortly after that statement.

Attorneys make final arguments in Loesch case

UPDATED May 20, 2009, 4:07pm

By Jake Weyer

Attorneys made their final pitches to the jury Wednesday in the trial of Jamaal Freeman, accused of killing and robbing Kingfield resident and father of four Mark Loesch Sept. 12, 2007 in south Minneapolis.

The jury started deliberating at noon and continued until 8 p.m. without reaching a verdict. They will continue deliberations today.

The case involved no physical clues or forensic evidence. Attorneys relied solely on witness testimony — much of it from incarcerated individuals with substantial criminal histories.

Attorneys on each side made dramatic cases for who was lying and who was telling the real story.

“The state did not pick these witnesses,” said Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Therese Galatowitsch during her closing statement. “The defendant did.”

Jury struggling with verdict in Loesch case

UPDATED May 21, 2009, 11:49am

By Jake Weyer

Jurors in the trial of Jamaal Freeman, accused of killing and robbing Kingfield resident Mark Loesch Sept. 12, 2007, handed Hennepin County District Court Judge Mark Wernick a note this morning saying they could not agree on a verdict.

The note, delivered around 10 a.m., said the jury was split 4-8. Wernick read some guidlines to help them reach a decision and instructed them to continue deliberating. He asked jurors to decide the case for themselves, but only after discussing it with other jurors. He said to keep an open mind, but not to be swayed simply to end deliberations.   

Submitted photo

Mark Loesch with two of his four children.

Jamaal Freeman found guilty of Loesch murder

UPDATED May 21, 2009, 2:33pm

By Jake Weyer

A jury found Jamaal Freeman guilty of second-degree murder May 21 in the Sept. 12, 2007, beating death of Kingfield resident and father of four Mark Loesch.

Freeman was also found guilty of first-degree aggravated robbery and attempted first-degree aggravated robbery. The jury found him not guilty of first-degree murder, which requires intent to kill.  

The decision came around 1 p.m., three hours after the jury handed a note to Hennepin County District Court Judge Mark Wernick saying they were deadlocked 4-8. Deliberations started at noon May 20. 

"It isn't going to bring Mark back," said lifelong friend of Loesch Mark Johnston, who attended each day of the week-and-a-half-long trial. "But it's going to bring some closure... I think we can get a little peace now."

File photo

Sisters Molly Hanson (left) and Samantha Loesch are opening Kings Wine Bar in June at 46th Street and Grand Avenue.

Biz Buzz // Kings wine bar

By Jake Weyer

Kingfield wine bar to open in June

Kings Wine Bar, a project of Kingfield resident Samantha Loesch and sister Molly Hanson, is scheduled to open in June at 46th Street and Grand Avenue.

The family-run venture was initially slated to open last fall, but the sisters had to bring on a new contractor late in the process to help finish construction, Hanson said.

Kings is planned to be a family-friendly community establishment that offers a variety of wine and Midwest beers, a full menu, a pleasant atmosphere and music from vinyl records.

“We really want it to be a center-of-the-community place where people feel at home and go to see familiar faces and connect with their neighbors,” Loesch said in a July