Derrick Thompson trial begins with opening statements Thursday
Opening statements were made Thursday afternoon in the trial of Derrick Thompson, who is accused of killing five young women in a 2023 crash.
Thompson, the son of a former Minnesota lawmaker, is charged with five counts of third-degree murder and 10 counts of criminal vehicular homicide. Jury selection started Tuesday and was complete by Thursday afternoon. Opening statements began soon after.
The June 16, 2023 crash killed five friends:
- Salma Abdikadir, 20
- Sabiriin Ali, 17
- Sahra Gesaade, 20
- Sagal Hersi, 19
- Siham Odhowa, 19
"The cause of these deaths, and the pain and the suffering that followed, is present here in this courtroom today, and his name is Derrick Thompson," said prosecutor Joseph Paquette during opening statements. "These five young women, between the ages of 17 and 20, lost there lives due to the act of another, that was shockingly reckless, incredibly selfish and unspeakably foolish."
Prosecutors allege Thompson drew the attention of a state trooper on Interstate 35W by driving erratically at more than 100 mph.
Before the trooper turned their emergency lights on, Thompson allegedly cut across several lanes of traffic and exited onto East Lake Street, still speeding. Surveillance cameras captured his vehicle blowing a red light and slamming into a Honda Civic with five young women inside.
Charges said Thompson then ran from the scene and was found nearby, covered in sweat and blood.
In a motion on Wednesday, Thompson informed the court he would claim an "alternative perpetrator" in his defense. WCCO confirmed Thompson's brother, who is not charged in the case, is their alleged culprit.
"They think my client committed five acts, of depraved mind murder. Ladies and gentlemen, they simply don't have the quantum of evidence to establish that my client committed those crimes," said Tyler Bliss, Thompson's defense attorney.
Thompson was convicted last fall of several federal drug-related charges in connection to the crash and received an eight-year sentence. He rejected a proposed plea deal from the Hennepin County Attorney's Office for the state charges last summer.
Thompson is the son of former Minnesota State Rep. John Thompson.