Minnesota man freed after 16 years behind bars for a murder prosecutors say he didn’t commit

After serving 16 years behind bars, a Minnesota man was released from prison after a judge vacated his murder conviction for a crime prosecutors say he didn’t commit.

Edgar Barrientos-Quintana was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2009 after he was found guilty of killing 18-year-old Jesse Mickelson in a drive-by shooting in Minneapolis.

In August, a conviction review unit under Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office released a damning report that found various faults in the case against Barrientos-Quintana.

State court Judge John McBride vacated Barrientos-Quintana’s conviction and ordered his release last week. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, more than a decade after charging him, dismissed all the charges on Tuesday.

“Nothing can give Mr. Barrientos-Quintana those 16 years back, and for that, we are so sorry,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said during a news conference Tuesday. “When the criminal system does not function ethically, it causes significant harm.”

The judge, in the court order vacating the conviction, concluded Barrientos-Quintana did not receive a fair trial because prosecutors didn’t disclose all exculpatory evidence and his own attorneys didn’t effectively represent him.

Barrientos-Quintana expressed gratitude to his legal team and family and said he never lost hope of getting out.

“You know it was going to happen, just system’s too slow,” Barrientos-Quintana said at the news conference. “Happy to be out here man. Best week, it’s the best weekend. And more to come. 

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Locals not looking forward to Medicare Part B premium increases

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- A trip to the doctor will soon be more expensive for some senior citizens. This week, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is announcing an increase in Part B premiums.

Mary Freisinger has used Medicare Part B since 2020. She's one of several senior citizens who will be paying more for it next year. 

"I'm not too happy about it. I'll just have to wait and see what it goes up to," she said.

Medicare Part B has a monthly premium that's going from $174 to $185 a month for some people. 

According to Cullen Teska, an agent with Strive Medicare, the Inflation Reduction Act and the increase in costs of prescriptions are causing Medicare Part B premiums to rise.

"Medicare's max out of pocket has been reduced from this year in 2024 its $8,000 down to $2,000," Teska said. 

But Teska says expect to see price increases in co-pays for doctors' visits and outpatient care at hospitals. He also says folks with other Medicare plans should be concerned.

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