No Charges For Teens Suspected of Displaying Racial Slur on Pedestrian Bridge Near Rochester School

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The four teenagers who are suspected of displaying a racial slur on a pedestrian bridge in Rochester will not face charges. 

Read More: Rochester Police ID Teens as Suspects in Rochester Racial Slur Display

The Olmsted County Attorney’s Office issued a statement announcing the decision not to file charges on Tuesday. 

A passing motorist spotted the slur on the pedestrian bridge that crosses east Circle Dr. near Century High School on the morning of April 14. A State Trooper who was passing through the area took the display down that same morning. 

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On Monday the Rochester Police Department announced their investigation found three 16-year-old boys and a 17-year-old boy were suspected of displaying the slur. Their names are not being released due to state privacy laws regarding juveniles. 

Police forwarded the investigation’s findings to the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office. 

Olmsted County Attorney: Evidence Doesn't Meet Threshold to Charge Teens for Racial Slur on Rochester Bridge

The statement indicates the suspects re-arraigned the cups, which were already displaying a different message on the bridge, to spell out the slur. The County Attorney’s Office reviewed four potential legal theories to file charges in connection with the act. 

It was determined that prosecutors could not reach the burden of proof beyond a reasonable to charge the boys with Criminal Damage to Property, Threats of Violence, Harassment and Disorderly Conduct.

The statement lists the legal rationale for not charging the teens with either one of the four crimes.

A review of evidence in the case also determined the slur display did not meet the threshold for not being protected by the first amendment, the statement says. The full statement is available by clicking here. 

Olmsted County Attorney Mark Ostrem said in the statement, “I am deeply disturbed that anyone in this community could be so oblivious to find humor or enjoyment in this type of conduct. We are better than that. But, we evaluate incidents based on the law, not our internal responses to the event. We will continue to work with leaders in the community to help us grow through this event.” 

The display of the slur sparked a community rally at the bridge and town hall events discussing racism with Rochester community leaders. 

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