Will Justine Ruszczyk’s alleged killer finally testify at upcoming trial?
"Okay, the police are here." Justine Ruszczyk hung up the phone.
Presumably when she said those words to her fiancé who was out of town on business, she thought everything was going to be alright.
It was July 15, 2017. The Sydney woman had heard sounds in the alley behind their home in a Minneapolis neighbourhood - like a woman was being sexually assaulted.
Presumably when Justine said those words to her fiancé who was out of town on business, she thought everything was going to be alright. Facebook
As we currently understand it, Harrity drove along the alley behind Justine's home. At some point Justine approached the car and Noor allegedly opened fire through the driver's side window just before midnight, fatally shooting her. AP
Justine called 911 - twice - because she was so concerned.
Ten minutes after her first emergency call, two police officers arrived on scene. Officer Matthew Harrity was driving the patrol car and Officer Mohamed Noor was in the passenger seat.
As we currently understand it, Harrity drove along the alley behind Justine's home. At some point Justine approached the car and Noor allegedly opened fire through the driver's side window just before midnight, fatally shooting her.
She was so far away from home, and so far away from her family back in Australia.
She was set to marry her American partner Don Damond in Hawaii in just a few weeks’ time.
Regardless of how her life was taken, the fact that it was taken at all is gut-wrenching. Her future husband showed incredible dignity and strength - tolerating media packs on his front garden for hours on end and eventually coming out to make a statement.
Regardless of how her life was taken, the fact that it was taken at all is gut-wrenching. AP
The Sydney woman had heard sounds in the alley behind their home in a Minneapolis neighbourhood - like a woman was being sexually assaulted. Facebook
But there's one person we've never heard from: Mohamed Noor.
And he's the only one who truly knows what happened inside the police car that night and why Justine is dead.
Ever since that evening, Noor has invoked his Fifth Amendment right and never spoken with detectives about what happened.
Since then Noor has pleaded not guilty to second degree murder, third degree murder and second degree manslaughter. His lawyers will argue he acted in self-defence. He remains free on bail after posting US$500,000.
The Somali-American policeman was fired from the force after he was criminally charged, but that has been appealed by the local police union. The appeal is effectively on hold until the end of criminal proceedings against him.
An ice-covered alley is seen where Justine Diamond was shot and killed by Minneapolis officer Noor in July 2017. AAP
Flowers and messages were left at a makeshift memorial near the alley were Justine Ruszczyk was shot and killed. EPA
If convicted over these criminal proceedings, he faces up to 25 years in prison. And criminal proceedings are getting to the pointy end.
One month has been set aside for the entire trial. It will start on April 1, when the jury selection process will take place. 9News understands that could take up to a week in itself.
This may be in part due to concerns about bias at the hands of jurors.
The questionnaire for jury members deciding his fate contains 68 questions in total.
Interestingly, potential jurors are asked if they know anyone of Somali background and whether they've had good or bad experiences with persons of Somali descent. They're also asked to describe their best and worst experiences with police.
Obviously, both sides are trying to sniff out any preconceived notions which may disadvantage their respective cases.
This was a massive story in the United States as well. Noor is the first police officer to be charged with murder for a killing whilst on-duty in recent times in Minnesota. EPA
One thing we know the jury will hear details of is a 911 call that Harrity and Noor responded to before Justine's call that night.
The prosecution will present evidence about the pair responding to reports of a woman with dementia wandering Justine's neighbourhood about 1.5 hours earlier.
The context of this evidence and how the prosecution plans to use it against Noor will no doubt become evident as the trial begins.
We know Officer Harrity - Noor's partner that night - will give evidence because prosecutors are calling him as a witness. It's not known at what stage of the trial he will be facing questions in court.
We also know we will hear evidence from 29 experts including police officers, a medical examiner, doctors, special agents and twelve forensic scientists.
Most importantly - Mohamed Noor. Noor's defence team hasn't indicated whether the officer will testify during his trial. We may not find out he's giving evidence until 24 hours beforehand.
Family and friends gather on Freshwater Beach during a candlelight vigil for Justine Damond. AAP
And it's definitely not just Australia who will be watching this trial intently.
This was a massive story in the United States as well. Noor is the first police officer to be charged with murder for a killing whilst on duty in recent times in Minnesota.
The Minneapolis Police Department Chief Janee Harteau was forced to stand down after the shocking event and protests took over the local streets for days.
It's worth nothing that no police officer in that state has ever been successfully convicted of a fatal shooting.
So now we wait. Here's hoping the trial - and the jury's verdict - brings justice for Justine.
A lost bride, a lost daughter, a Sydney woman lost in Minneapolis.
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