The former lead prosecutor in the case against Kim Potter recently spoke out about his decision to resign from the Washington County Attorney’s Office.
Prior to resigning a few months ago, Imran Ali was a prosecutor for 10 years, working on cases across the board from murder to human trafficking.
However, after the Potter case was reassigned to Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office, Ali decided to resign: “I never thought I’d do it, but I have to,” he said in an interview with Fox 9.
Ali said his decision was caused by a sequence of factors, including activists who wanted Potter to be charged with murder. Ali charged her with second-degree manslaughter when the case was assigned to the Washington County office.
“They spread misinformation, by spreading lies, by using intimidation, by using bullying, you know, that’s not the way we do things,” Ali said told KSTP. “It’s not the way the justice system should work for anyone who’s been accused of a crime.”
Attorneys who attempted to sway the case and unsupportive elected officials also influenced Ali’s decision, Fox 9 reported.
“Our criminal justice system is almost at siege. It’s eroding — the very basis of equal protection for all, due process,” Ali said.
Ali also said he was an eyewitness to “intimidation.”
“It wasn’t just this case,” Ali said, regarding his decision to resign. “It was the previous years, the cases that I’ve seen, everything that’s been going on. Do I think there needs to be reform? Absolutely. Do I think we need to do things better? Of course. But this intimidation? I had a front row seat.”
Ali also shared with Fox 9 how he received countless emails, phone calls, and social media messages. Some told Ali he’s “been a lie his whole life” and expressed disbelief that he would even charge the case.
“I hope our state heals. I know it’s in a deep divide right now, and I’m confident that we’re going to get through this,” Ali said.
Rose Williams
Rose Williams is an assistant editor for Alpha News.
