Mike Freeman Biography and Wiki
Mike Freeman (Michael Orville Freeman) is an American attorney and politician currently serving as the county attorney for Hennepin County, in Minneapolis, MN. He attracted a lot of backlash on May 28, 2020, after his controversial comments on the murder of George Floyd, a black man who was killed in police custody.
Mike Freeman Attorney
Freeman graduated from Rutgers University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He proceeded to the University of Minnesota Law School from where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1974.
Mike Freeman Age
Freeman was born on May 7, 1948, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. He is 72 years old in 2020.
Mike Freeman Height
He appears to be quite tall in stature going by his appearance. Freeman’s height could be around 6 ft.
Mike Freeman Family
Freeman was born to Orville Freeman (father) in Minneapolis, MN, in 1948. His father served as Secretary of Agriculture under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson and was also a former governor for Minnesota.
Mike Freeman Wife
Freeman is married to his wife Kate McCarthy, who is a journalist. Together, the couple has five grown-up children.
Mike Freeman George Floyd Case
In his capacity as the county attorney for Hennepin County, Freeman is one of the government officials who are handling the investigation into the death of George Floyd. Floyd was a 46-year-old African-American man who died on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis, MN in police custody. His death sparked nationwide protests in the United States.
Floyd died after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground with his face pressed down on the pavement by Derek Chauvin using his knee which he pressed hard and long to the back of his neck. The victim died shortly after at Hennepin County Medical Center. The whole incident was captured in a viral video by a bystander who even tried to plead with officer Chauvin to ease off.
However, Freeman drew widespread backlash following his controversial comments in a presser on the investigation’s progress on May 28, 2020. The press conference was held alongside Erica McDonald, the United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota, an FBI representative, and other local and Federal officials.
Freeman said that Floyd died a “senseless death” and that his heart was with his family. He added that the investigation was going to take time as they were leaving nothing to chance. However, it is this comment that drew the people’s wrath:
“And there is other evidence that does not support a criminal charge. We need to weigh through all of that evidence to come through with a meaningful determination, and we are doing the best of our ability.”
The above statement elicited angry reactions from people across America prompting his office to come out trying to clarify. In their statement, the office clarified that Freeman meant that they had to review all the evidence for and against the case carefully.
The Recall Freeman Campaign
A week after George Floyd’s murder and Derek Chauvin’s arrest, local organizers began a campaign to have Freeman recalled as Hennepin County Attorney. They cited his failure to bring the officers involved in the killing of George Floyd to book and seemingly trying to frustrate efforts to seek justice for the Floyd family. Freeman’s office has filed third-degree murder and manslaughter charges against Derek Chauvin, a charge that is deemed insufficient by the public.
The campaign started on June 3, 2020. Organizers aim to collect 126,522 signatures needed to initiate a recall election. One of the organizers Kathleen Cole said:
“State law gives Minnesotans the power to recall our elected officials when they fail our communities… Mike Freeman violated his ethical duties, committed malfeasance, and made it harder to secure justice for George Floyd and his family. We must recall him now.”
Mike Freeman George Floyd Investigation
As pertains to the George Floyd investigation, Freeman said that the officers involved in the death are not cooperating with investigative agencies. He added that they were pleading the 5th amendment. George Floyd’s family has hired renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump to pursue justice for their kin.
Mike Freeman Minneapolis
Freeman was elected in 1982 to represent the old District 40 in the Minnesota Senate. The old District 40 included a portion of Bloomington in Hennepin County and the city of Richfield. In 1986, he was re-elected to the State Senate serving as Majority Whip from (1987–1991). Freeman is a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.
Mike Freeman Hennepin County
In 1999, Freeman ran and was elected as the County Attorney of Hennepin County serving until 1999. He ran again in 2006, after incumbent Amy Klobuchar opted to run for the U.S. Senate, and was elected county attorney by a wide margin. He has served in this capacity since. Hennepin is the most populous county in the state of Minnesota while the county seat is Minneapolis.
In 2019, Freeman underwent a treatment program for alcohol addiction. During this period, he took a short leave of absence. It is not clear if he remains alcohol-free.
Mike Freeman MN
In 1994 Freeman ran and lost the DFL Party endorsement to John Marty. However, Marty went on to lose in the general election to incumbent Governor Arne Carlson. Freeman ran again in 1998 and won the DFL Party endorsement but lost the primary election to Skip Humphrey who in turn lost the general election to Jesse Ventura.
Mike Freeman Net Worth
Freeman has been working in different capacities since the mid-1970s. Therefore, he has no doubt accumulated a decent fortune. Freeman’s net worth is estimated to be upwards of $2 million. However, the exact figure is currently unavailable.