MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Latest on the case of a Minneapolis man who is charged with attempted murder for allegedly throwing a child off a balcony at the Mall of America (all times local):
5:30 p.m.
The attorney for a man accused of throwing a 5-year-old boy from a third-floor balcony at the Mall of America urged the community to focus on mental health options for those who need it, instead of waiting for bad things to happen and demanding retribution.
Paul Sellers is a public defender appointed to represent Emmanuel Aranda. Sellers says his client has been in mental health court before.
Aranda is charged with attempted premediated first-degree murder in Friday’s attack. Police say Aranda told them he went to the mall “looking for someone to kill” and chose the boy at random.
During a brief hearing Tuesday, his client appeared lucid and followed the court’s directions.
Sellers says once he gets all the evidence from the state he’ll work to determine the best outcome.
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2:30 p.m.
A man accused of throwing a 5-year-old boy from a third-floor balcony at the Mall of America said little during his first court appearance.
Emmanuel Aranda is charged with attempted premediated first-degree murder in Friday’s attack. Police say Aranda told them he went to the mall “looking for someone to kill” and chose the boy at random.
Aranda appeared behind a glass partition Tuesday in a courtroom at the Hennepin County jail. Asked by the judge whether he had any questions, he said, “Not at all.”
Aranda’s bail was kept at $2 million and an omnibus hearing was set for May 14.
Stephen Tillitt, an attorney appearing for the victim’s family, said the child remains in critical condition.
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