| Prosecutors discuss LeSueur shooting death |
By: Paul M. Malchow and Ed Lee, Special to the News
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Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 5:00 pm
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ANOKA — The grand jury heard that Deputy Todd Waldron was in a headlock and fearing for his life before firing two fatal bullets into the heart of Tyler Heilman on July 20 in Kasota.
Authorities at the Anoka County Attorney’s Office on Tuesday morning released evidence and details that the Le Sueur Grand Jury heard before deciding murder charges were not warranted against Waldron.
Twenty-one witnesses testified to the grand jury. One man, who was driving through Kasota and saw the physical altercation between Waldron and Heilman, said Waldron was “getting his butt kicked” and that his face was "red as a beet." That witness came forward to authorities the day after the July 20 shooting when he saw media reports of other witnesses he didn’t feel were completely accurate.
Based on witness accounts, authorities gave a clearer picture of what transpired.
According to accounts, Waldron saw a car driving up Firemen’s Hill in Kasota, but lost it. He was going to the apartment building where he originally intended when he saw the Heilman car again.
From there, witnesses’ statements are close, but don’t match exactly.
“It’s not uncommon when there are lots of witnesses and things happen quickly, you get different accounts,” said Andrew Johnson, Anoka County Assistant Attorney during the press conference.
The grand jury heard that Waldron attempted to put Heilman in a wrist lock maneuver, but Heilman pulled away aggressively. Waldron told Heilman he was under arrest and to get on the ground. Heilman did not comply so Waldron tried to strike him with a closed fist. Heilman ducked, causing Waldron to miss. As it turned out, Heilman had Waldron in a headlock to the point of cutting off air flow and Waldron seeing stars and fearing he’d fall unconscious. Waldron was on his knees, and his gun was laying on the ground. Waldron did not know if the gun just fell out or if Heilman knocked it out. Waldron reached it and shot Heilman.
Waldron had three linear abrasions on the front of his neck and three dark bruises, consistent with finger marks, on the inside of his right bicep.
According to to the statement, autopsy reports showed Heilman had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.09 and very low THC.
No further charges are being considered.
Anoka County Attorney's Office officials said this was a "horrible, horrible tragedy. Mr. Heilman was a father, a son, a fiance and friend. There are many people who miss him and everyone wishes that things had gone differently. ..." |
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