I am writing in response to a letter you published recently from Jennifer Kotila regarding a Meeker County criminal case involving Shane Colberg.
In that letter, Ms. Kotila appears to assert that she has some inside knowledge as to the facts of the case, as well as the motivations and beliefs of both law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office. To the contrary, Ms. Kotila was merely an observer in the courtroom who is not connected to the prosecutor’s office, nor to law enforcement.
Actually, she was not even much of an observer, as she got up and left partway through the hearing before even hearing the prosecutor’s statement, which may have actually given her some insight into the case.
It has been my honor to represent Colberg in Meeker County and ensure that the criminal sexual conduct charges leveled against him were all dismissed. Although Ms. Kotilla insists that the fact that the case was charged means that the victim was believed, I would note instead that it meant there was probable cause based on her original allegations. Then the evidence was revealed.
The bottom line is that the case resulted in zero convictions related to the allegations of sexual assault. There was a plea of guilty to disorderly conduct, but that plea was not accepted and did not result in a conviction.
Violence against women is a deplorable act, and wrongdoers should be held accountable. However, instead of believing someone simply because of their allegations, our system of justice demands that one follow the evidence.
David J. Risk
Attorney for Shane Colberg
