Derrick Thompson trial: Jury begins deliberations after closing arguments

Derrick Thompson trial: Jury begins deliberations

Derrick Thompson’s criminal trial for a deadly crash that killed five young women in Minneapolis nearly two years ago is now in the hands of the jury after closing arguments wrapped up Thursday.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Derrick Thompson’s criminal trial for a deadly crash that killed five young women in Minneapolis nearly two years ago is now in the hands of the jury. 

The prosecution and defense delivered closing arguments Thursday morning. The jury began deliberations around 11:30 a.m. 

GRAPHIC CONTENT: Timeline of Derrick Thompson case via body cam footage

Prosecuting attorney Paige Starkey laid out a timeline for the fatal June 2023 crash with body camera footage and surveillance video used throughout Derrick Thompson's trial.

Thompson is facing 15 charges, including third-degree murder and criminal vehicular homicide, for allegedly running a red light at high speed and crashing into a car carrying five young women in June 2023.

All five women, Salma Mohamed Abdikadir, Sahra Liban Gesaade, Sagal Burhaan Hersi, Siham Adan Odhowa, and Sabiriin Mohamoud Ali, were killed in the wreck. The women were all between the ages of 17 and 20.

Closing arguments

Derrick Thompson trial: Prosecution's closing argument [RAW]

Hennepin County attorney Paige Starkey delivers the prosecution's closing argument in the murder trial of Derrick Thompson.

What they're saying:

During closing arguments, prosecuting attorney Paige Starkey laid out the chronological order of what happened on the night of the crash, pointing out Derrick Thompson's "reckless and destructive behavior."

"It wasn't whether he was going to take somebody's life. It was who and when," said Starkey. "His series of choices that night were criminal because they were eminently dangerous to everyone and anyone who happened to be on the road that night. And because of his criminal choices, Sabirinn, Sahra, Sagal, Salma, and Siham were ripped from their families."

Derrick Thompson trial: Defense closing arguments

The defense for Derrick Thompson criticized the investigation into the deadly crash that claimed the lives of five women, arguing that investigators didn't look closely enough at Thompson's brother.

Meanwhile, the defense attacked the investigation into the crash, saying law enforcement focused on Derrick Thompson being the driver and not enough on his brother. 

"We have to ask more of our government. We have to ask more of the agents who get up and testify and lie to the faces of jurors," said defense attorney Tyler Bliss. "The state has simply not investigated the case. The state simply has not eliminated doubt as to the guilt of Derrick Thompson as the driver of this vehicle."

The defense also argued that while the driver may have been reckless, they weren’t indifferent to human life. 

"Whoever is driving that car was not acting in a depraved way. Whoever is driving that car was a knucklehead and a danger and a reckless person, but ladies and gentlemen, they simply were not acting with a depraved mind. They were not acting without regard to human life. They were trying to stop [the vehicle]." 

Recap of Derrick Thompson trial

Derrick Thompson's brother testifies against him

Derrick Thompson's brother, Damarco Thompson, was called by the prosecution to testify against Derrick. Damarco said he was not in the rented Escalade during the fatal crash. FOX 9's Rob Olson has the full story.

Big picture view:

Over the past week, prosecutors have been laying out their case against Derrick Thompson, telling the jury how the 29-year-old was treated for a broken pelvis after crashing a rented Escalade.

However, the defense has argued it was not Derrick, but his brother Damarco, who was behind the wheel of that speeding SUV when it slammed into a car full of women on Lake Street. 

Derrick Thompson’s brother testified against him, insisting that Derrick was the one driving. He testified they went to the rental car facility together at the airport, but it was Derrick who drove off in the rented Cadillac, and no one else was with him.

In the week-long trial, jurors heard from a number of eyewitnesses, investigators and forensic scientists. They also heard from several family members of the young women who died.

Following the last day of testimony on Wednesday, the prosecution rested its case. The defense also rested without calling a single witness.

What's next:

The jury is deliberating the case. If they haven't reached a verdict before 4:30 p.m. Thursday, they'll return on Friday to keep deliberating. 

If convicted, Thompson faces decades behind bars.