On Friday, Bluestem posted Matt Grossell cited for DWI. Apparently diversion program for 2019 disorderly night wore off, following the breaking of the story by MPR's Brian Bakst.
Since then, we've learned more about the early February 11 morning arrest.
MPR's Brian Bakst tweeted arrest report
Grossell was going 71 in a 55 when he was stopped. He was arrested but not booked in jail due to the Clearwater County jail being closed, according to @MnDPS_MSP report.He was released to a sober person. pic.twitter.com/DWdFlWeTQF
— Brian Bakst (@Stowydad) February 18, 2023
"Family emergency" kept Grossell from February 11 Town Hall with Bliss & Green
In a February 17 Legislative update, Minnesota House District 2B state representative Matt Bliss, R-Pennington, wrote:
Can’t say “thank you” enough to the couple hundred people who attended the recent town hall meeting at the Bemidji Eagles Club (pictured above).
This meeting was conducted largely the result of constituents asking for a public forum to discuss gun-control bills moving through the Legislature – and local citizens followed up in a big way. The Second Amendment is quite important to people in our area and people are trying to get up to speed on exactly what House Democrats propose.
Only two speakers are on the stage, and a local source tells us that Grossell wasn't there. According to a forwarded email from an area resident who attended the town hall:
Question. Do you know if Bliss, Grossell( who was missing due to some “family emergency “) (emphasis added), or Green …or the GOP for that matter have anything on the table that remotely addresses gun violence? . . .
This email was sent on Sunday, February 12, before news of the arrest was public.
Grossell's anticipated participation was announced in a February 7 event announcement on the Beltrami County Republicans' Facebook page:
Grossell files Informed Consent hearing petition
Grossell has not been convicted on the DWI charge, and he's represented by counsel.
One of the legal options available to drivers in Minnesota facing DWI charges is to file a petition for an informed consent hearing. This is a civil case, with the driver v. Commissioner of Public Safety.
Here's the basis for GRossell's request: Petitioner seeks rescission on the revocation based on a violation of the Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, Article 1, Sections Five, Six, Seven, Eight and Ten of the Minnesota Constitution, and Minn. Stat. § 169A.51, et. seq., ...
Read the petition below:
Grossell Petition for Implied Consent Hearing uploaded by Sally Jo Sorensen on Scribd
There's not yet a hearing date set. Remember: however much many of us may have little sympathy for those accused of driving under the influence, the rights of those accused must be respected.
Criminal case number is 15-CR-23-56
The petition refers to a related case, 15-CR-23-56; while open criminal cases can't be searched by the defendant's name in Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) database, criminal cases can be searched by the case number. Thus, Bluestem was able to access filings in the DWI case.
There are a number of filings viewable in the database; readers can review the documents that way. The early filings are described in Louis Krauss's reporting at the Star Tribune, Republican lawmaker Matt Grossell cited for DWI in northern Minnesota:
State Rep. Matt Grossell was cited last weekend in northern Minnesota with three misdemeanors for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.
According to court documents, Grossell, R-Clearbrook, was cited Feb. 11 just before 2:40 a.m. west of Clearbrook, a few miles from his home. His blood alcohol level was measured at .15%, above the .08% limit.
Grossell received three citations for driving while intoxicated, including: operating a vehicle with too-high alcohol content; fourth-degree driving while impaired; and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Grossell's attorney Alex Rogosheske provided a statement Friday night confirming the lawmaker was stopped for speeding, and that during the stop he was suspected of driving while impaired.
Grossell was arrested and released after submitting to a breathalyzer test, according to the statement. Grossell did not respond to an email request for comment. His arraignment is set for March 15. . . .
In a February 16, 2023, Request for Continuance, Grossell's attorney has asked for just that:
I represent the Defendant in the captioned matter, which has an Arraignment scheduled for March 15, 2023 at
9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Unfortunately, I have a conflict with that date and would respectfully request a continuance.
If these are typically held on Wednesday mornings, I am available April 12, 2023 or April 26, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.
still via Zoom. My office has been in contact with the County Attorney’s Office and they do not object to this
request for a continuance.
We're unclear whether that request was granted, though such matters are fairly routine, as Americans have a right to counsel.
Here's a list of "discovery" items from a February 17 filing:
1. Minnesota State Patrol Incident Report (ICR 23320225)
2. Breath Test Advisory
3. Peace Officer’s Certificate
4. Notice and Order or Revocation and Prohibited Use
5. Temporary License
6. Narrative
7. Minnesota State Patrol DWI Report
8. Narrative from Trooper Joseph Weems
9. Fingerprint paperwork
10.Impaired Individual Release Form
11.Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office Incident Report (ICR CRP23000078)
12.Primary Report by Deputy Tom Davis dated 02/12/23
13.Printouts of motor vehicle registration and defendant’s driving history, available
for defense to view at the County Attorney’s Office after receipt of a signed
release of information form from the Defendant.
14.Videos (4) from State Patrol
15.Interview room video
16.DMT Data Master test results
17.Defendant’s criminal history report is available for defense to view at the County
Attorney’s Office after receipt of a signed release of information form from the
Defendant
Final thoughts
We're hearing more stories about Grossell's behavior since the February 11 arrest but can't confirm the rumors. This is a developing story.
Bluestem hopes Representative Grossell finds a way to work through his personal issues. Recovery is a path that takes humility and honesty.
Related posts
- Matt Grossell cited for DWI. Apparently diversion program for 2019 disorderly night wore off.
- State DFL responds to Matt Grossell Facebook post
- In early morning Facebook post, Matt Grossell frets about alter agenda coordinated attack
- Snipe hunt of war: Grossell spent night out with patriot buds waiting for phantom buses.
- Beltrami Co. Sheriff addresses rumors and misinformation; Grossell presence confirmed
- Was Minnesota state representative Matt Grossell out with vigilantes during Bemidji curfew?
- Minnesota state representative Matt Grossell may not want any more Muslim colleagues elected
Photo: From the Pioneer Press, Grossell front and center during the Pledge of Allegiance on opening day.
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