BREAKING NEWS: Three suspects are set to face trial on Monday, October 30, 2023, in connection with a robbery that escalated into a fatal shooting in Duluth, Minnesota. The case revolves around a home invasion that led to the death of Cody Thomas Telega just hours later, making this trial a critical moment for justice in the community.
Prosecutors are pushing for a rare joint trial at the St. Louis County Courthouse, citing concerns about the credibility of key witness Dontae Martes Williamson. Reports indicate that Williamson has threatened to alter his testimony, raising alarm bells for the prosecution.
“Williamson’s initial cooperation has changed to an explicit refusal to further assist in this investigation,”
stated St. Louis County prosecutor Mike Ryan. This shift poses a significant risk to the integrity of the ongoing case against the three defendants: Lance Lee Houle, Steven Ross Shotley, and Amanda Marie Ruiz.
The robbery occurred on the night of June 14, 2023, when Houle and Shotley allegedly forced their way into Telega’s apartment, assaulting Williamson and stealing his belongings, including a cellphone, cash estimated at $1,500, and 20 grams of heroin or fentanyl. Ruiz, Houle’s longtime girlfriend, is accused of being the getaway driver. The violent encounter escalated when Williamson attempted to escape through a window, leading to confrontation and theft.
Williamson’s involvement has become contentious. He was later shot in an unrelated incident in St. Paul, and his current incarceration raises questions about his reliability as a witness. Prosecutors are seeking to compel his testimony under immunity to ensure his cooperation, but defense attorneys argue this infringes on his Fifth Amendment rights.
Judge Leslie Beiers has allowed the joint trial despite objections from Houle and Shotley’s attorneys, who argue that evidence against each defendant may not be admissible in a combined case. However, Ryan contends that the three are facing identical charges stemming from the same incident: aggravated first-degree robbery and aiding and abetting. Shotley also faces a separate charge for felony firearm possession, which may be tried later.
As the trial approaches, video surveillance reportedly shows the three defendants entering and exiting the Firehouse Flats apartment building near Telega’s residence before the robbery. This evidence may play a pivotal role in the prosecution’s case.
With emotions running high and community safety at stake, the upcoming trial promises to be a focal point for local residents. What happens in the courtroom could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future. Observers are urged to follow developments closely as the trial begins.
Stay tuned for more updates as this critical case unfolds in Duluth.
