Attempted murder charges dropped in Renville Co., Minn., police pursuit case

OLIVIA — Two charges of attempted, first degree murder are being dropped against Brian Noel Hester, 46, of Redwood Falls.

Hester, who is currently in the Renville County Jail, was charged after a 38-mile, high speed chase on Dec. 3 in Renville and Redwood counties. He also faces two charges of second degree assault with a dangerous weapon, fleeing a police officer, driving while intoxicated and driving after cancellation.

Renville County Assistant Attorney Laurence Stratton said he would dismiss the two attempted murder charges against Hester following an evidentiary hearing today in Olivia. Stratton said after reviewing investigatory materials collected in the case, he did not believe there was the evidence needed for the two charges.

At the hearing, defense attorney Andrea Jo Lieser, Fairfax, challenged the two assault charges, as well as the basis for the DWI charge.

Lieser said that videos of the chase and arrest of the defendant captured on three different squad cars “lack the required elements of assault.’’