State of Minnesota v. Christopher James Hayes

Minneapolis, Minnesota criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with second-degree intentional murder.

Defendant was convicted.





Hayes's conviction is based on a shooting death that occurred on September 17, 2010, in Minneapolis. Hayes was a passenger in a car driven by a relative, Michael James Funches Jr. Hayes and Funches picked up Christopher DeRonde, intending to purchase marijuana from him. DeRonde sat in the back seat. Funches testified at trial that DeRonde handed a bag of marijuana to Hayes, that Hayes was dissatisfied with its quality, that Hayes pulled out a handgun, and that Hayes shot DeRonde as DeRonde exited the car. DeRonde collapsed on a nearby sidewalk as Funches and Hayes drove away. DeRonde died of his injuries before police officers arrived at the scene. See State v. Hayes, 826 N.W.2d 799, 802 (Minn. 2013).



In October 2010, the state charged Hayes with second-degree intentional murder, in violation of Minn. Stat. § 609.19, subd. 1(1) (2010). In November 2010, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Hayes with first-degree premeditated murder, in violation of Minn. Stat. § 609.185(a)(1) (2010), and first-degree felony murder while committing a drive-by shooting, in violation of Minn. Stat. § 609.185(a)(3).



The case was tried to a jury on 12 days in April 2011. Funches testified for the state to the facts recited above, including the fact that Hayes pulled out a gun and shot DeRonde. In addition, a bystander testified that she saw Hayes point a gun at DeRonde seconds before she heard the gun discharge. The jury found Hayes guilty of first-degree felony murder while committing a drive-by shooting and second-degree intentional murder but not guilty of first-degree premeditated murder.



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Hayes v. State, A24-0498 (Minn. App. Oct 21, 2024)

Affirmed