Reporter | Hennepin County Courts

Chao Xiong was the Hennepin County Courts reporter for the Star Tribune. He previously covered Ramsey County courts, St. Paul police, the state of Minnesota and the city of Minneapolis.


Ex-officer Potter is sentenced to 2 years for killing Daunte Wright

The sentence handed down by the presiding judge was about 3 1⁄2 times lower than the presumptive prison term and left Daunte Wright's family and activists angry.


Prosecutors change course from asking for longer Potter sentence

State sentencing guidelines call for a prison term between about six years and about 8 1⁄2 years for first-degree manslaughter for a defendant like Potter, who has no criminal history.


Fourth suspect charged in kidnapping, murder of man found in Dakota County culvert

The victim was labeled a "snitch," court documents say.


Retired Judge Martha Holton Dimick running for Hennepin County attorney

Martha Holton Dimick cited George Floyd's killing and increase in crime as a factor.


'No idea' Floyd was in distress, Thao testifies at civil rights trial

Former Minneapolis police officer Tou Thao is one of three ex-MPD officers on trial in St. Paul for the 2020 killing of George Floyd.


At least two ex-officers plan to testify in federal civil rights trial as defense set to begin

Officers accused of violating George Floyd's civil rights


New body camera video: Officers didn't tell second supervisor about restraint of George Floyd

Former Minneapolis officers J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao are on trial in federal court.


New footage in trial shows officers didn't tell superior Floyd had no pulse

Defense attorneys are trying to show that evidence was overlooked early on in the investigation of George Floyd's death.


Chief public defender in northwestern Minnesota reappointed despite pushback

Kristine Kolar will serve another 4-year term.


Minneapolis man charged in fatal crash was on FaceTime call

The April 15 crash on Hwy. 62 near I-35W in Richfield killed a 23-year-old woman.