Why conviction over Justine Ruszczyk shooting was a US landmark

The landmark trial of former police officer Mohamed Noor over the deadly shooting of Justine Ruszczyk drew avid attention both in the US and Australia.

And one lawyer has told A Current Affair there were a number of factors that made the case stand out.

Noor was today convicted of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in a landmark court result following a month-long trial.

He was acquitted of second-degree murder.

Ms Ruszczyk was shot in July 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Minutes before her death, the 40-year-old had called 911 to report a possible sexual assault in the alley behind her home.

Noor maintained he had fired the deadly shot to protect his partner's life, after a "loud bang" on his squad car made him fearful.

Criminal defence lawyer and legal analyst Marsh Halberg told A Current Affair there were several reasons observers in the US had been watching just as closely as they had in Australia.

"First is just the number of times it's happened across the country," he said.

"Second thing is the unique twist here - that we have ... a black police officer shooting a white victim, and usually it's the opposite argument."

Laws in Minnesota also offer police officers extra protection not available to the average American.

"There's never been a police officer convicted in Minnesota of a police shooting incident, and that's another reason this is out there," Mr Halberg said.

"That's the statute in place here in Minnesota and other states that basically says police officers can kill somebody.

"It's memorialised in the law if they perceive a concern for themselves or their partner."

Noor will be sentenced on June 7.