State vs. Abdus-Salam
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In this case, the Supreme Court of Minnesota was tasked to interpret the statutory definition of a "dangerous weapon" as used in the case of Ayyoob Dawood Abdus-Salam, who was charged with two counts of second-degree riot for his alleged organization of two intersection "takeovers." During these events, several vehicles and large groups of pedestrians intentionally blocked off predetermined urban intersections, allowing drivers to perform dangerous stunts while crowds watched and filmed.
The Supreme Court of Minnesota held that the term "likely" as used in the manner-of-use definition for "dangerous weapon" under Minn. Stat. § 609.02, subd. 6 (2022), is unambiguous and means "probable or reasonably expected." Furthermore, the court found that the district court erred when it dismissed two second-degree riot charges against Abdus-Salam for lack of probable cause, as sufficient facts in the record precluded granting a motion for a judgment of acquittal if proved at trial. The Supreme Court thus affirmed the decision of the court of appeals, ruling that because a reasonable jury could conclude from the facts alleged by the State that the vehicles used in the "takeovers" were dangerous weapons, the charges should not have been dismissed.
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