Officer who shot and killed Australian woman Justine Damond found guilty of murder
Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor has been found guilty of third degree murder for the shooting death of Australian life coach Justine Ruszczyk Damond.
Noor, 33, had been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter.
Under Minnesota law third degree murder is where there was not an intent to effect the death of a person, but a dangerous act was carried out with regard to human life.
Noor is the first Minnesota police officer to be convicted over an on-duty shooting.
The jury of 10 men and two women took less one day to reach their decision to find him guilty of third degree murder and guilty on second-degree manslaughter.
He was found not guilty of the more serious charge of second degree murder.
The presumptive sentences vary from four years for the manslaughter charge to 12 and a half years for third-degree murder.
Noor was taken into custody straight after the verdicts were read just after 5pm (0800 AEST).
Ms Damond, 40, formerly of Sydney, was shot dead by Noor when she approached his police vehicle in an alley behind her Minneapolis home.
Ms Ruszczyk Damond had called 911 late on the evening of July 15, 2017 after hearing a woman's screams and feared a sexual assault was taking place.
Noor and his partner, Matthew Harrity, testified Ms Damond startled them.
Noor feared they were targeted by an ambush.
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