Felony charges were dropped this week against a Robbinsdale police officer shot in the leg during a road rage incident in June, according to the officer's lawyer.
Landen Beard, 28, was charged in December in Anoka County District Court, accused of making terroristic threats against another driver. Bill Michael, Beard's attorney, confirmed Friday that the charges against the officer had been dropped, about two weeks after Michael filed to have the case dismissed.
The other driver, Martin Treptow, 36, of Coon Rapids, was also indicted by an Anoka County grand jury in December. He is accused of making terroristic threats, being involved in a drive-by shooting and reckless discharge of a firearm. His attorney, Kurt Glaser, could not be reached for comment. Paul Young, assistant Anoka County attorney, said Friday that Treptow's case is set for trial in July.
Treptow, who had a gun permit, was with his wife and two children when he shot Beard in Coon Rapids on June 7. Beard, who was in plain clothes and in an unmarked police car, told authorities that Treptow pulled his gun first.
But Treptow told police that Beard pulled a gun first and aimed it at his wife, Rebecca Treptow. He also said Beard did not identify himself as a police officer.
Beard has been on administrative leave since he was charged. Michael said a Washington County prosecutor had been assigned to the case to avoid any conflict of interest. "We ordered the grand jury transcript and we determined that he [Beard] had not committed any crime," Michael said. "It's our understanding that the charge has been dismissed for those reasons."
Lora Pabst • 612-673-4628
