MINNEAPOLIS — A 22-year-old Minneapolis woman could face decades in prison after prosecutors charged her with murder in connection with a hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of a teenager.
Prosecutors on Tuesday detailed one count of second-degree murder and five counts of second-degree assault against Latalia Anjolie Margalli in connection with the incident, which took place in downtown Minneapolis early Saturday.
The criminal complaint filed against Margalli says she and some friends were in the vicinity of 5th and Hennepin when the defendant saw a man she knew and started to argue with him. A group that included 16-year-old De'Miaya Broome soon became involved, telling Margalli to leave the man alone.
A witness who was with the defendant told investigators that the situation escalated into a physical fight between some of the women and that Margalli returned to her vehicle after one of the combatants sprayed mace. The witness claimed that the women in the opposing group began taunting them for leaving the fight and the altercation flared again. At that point, the witness said, Margalli climbed into her SUV and drove directly into the group.
Another witness not involved in the confrontation told police he saw the defendant's vehicle strike the crowd, and that she "didn't hit her brakes or nothing."
Court documents say video recovered from the scene shows Margalli throwing her vehicle in reverse and accelerating so suddenly she knocked her passenger to the ground with an open door. Prosecutors say she then put the SUV into drive and accelerated going the wrong way down 5th Street, directly at Broome, who was on the ground fighting with someone. The defendant then reportedly fled the scene.
Broome suffered critical injuries and was declared dead at the hospital. Five others suffered injuries ranging from broken legs to a head injury.
Responding officers were able to locate Margalli's vehicle and took her into custody, where she remains.
During a press conference announcing the charges, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty noted that this case is the third in recent months where someone has used a vehicle as a weapon, referring to the cases of Derrick Thompson - charged with murder in the deaths of five women he allegedly struck with a rented SUV - and Steven Bailey - charged with murder in the Park Tavern tragedy.
In Margalli's case, Moriarty says it was anger, and not alcohol or drugs that lit the deadly fuse.
"Your car can be used as a weapon," Moriarty said. "Don't get behind the wheel if you're angry and upset, take a deep breath, walk around, don't get into your car and let your emotions get the best of you."
On Monday, Broome's parents told KARE 11's Lou Raguse that she was raised going to church, and loved art, poetry and all animals.