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Judge considers releasing man convicted of murdering teen in 2008

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office and the victim's family agree with the findings of the MN Conviction Review Unit that Edgar Barrientos-Quintana is innocent.

MINNEAPOLIS — In a court hearing 16 years to the day that 18-year-old Jesse Mickelson was killed in a drive-by shooting in south Minneapolis, the prosecution and defense both asked a judge to release Edgar Barrientos-Quintana — the man convicted of first-degree murder in his death — as he looked on via a video monitor from the prison.

"I will get a decision out as soon as I can," said Anoka County Judge John McBride.

McBride was brought into the case to avoid a conflict of interest, as Judge Hilary Lindell Caligiuri was a prosecutor in the case.

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office and Barrientos-Quintana's defense agreed to stipulated facts they provided the judge, along with several exhibits for him to review.

The state's Conviction Review Unit said they believe Barrientos-Quintana could not have committed the crime because he was seen in a video in a grocery store in Saint Paul, 33 minutes before the shooting in south Minneapolis occurred.

RELATED: Conviction Review Unit recommends 2009 murder conviction be vacated

Friday in court, Barrientos-Quintana looked on remotely from a screen at the prison as the Hennepin County Attorney's Office told the judge it agreed with Barrientos' defense.

The victim's family was in court hoping for the defendant's release.

"My only concern today is the judge comes back with a decision as soon as possible and honors the decision and the attorneys' decision and releases him. I'm hoping," said Jesse's sister Tina Rosebear.

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