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Court denies change of venue for former Minnesota state trooper charged in fatal crash
Judge cites high-profile case against ex-Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin in ruling against venue change request
Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:48pm
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A judge has denied a former Minnesota state trooper's request to change the venue for his manslaughter trial, ruling that extensive pretrial publicity alone does not require a change of venue under state law. Shane Roper, 34, faces several criminal charges including second-degree manslaughter for his involvement in a 2024 crash that killed 18-year-old Olivia Flores.
Why it matters
This case highlights the challenges courts face in balancing the right to a fair trial with the reality of extensive media coverage of high-profile criminal cases. The judge's ruling suggests courts may be increasingly reluctant to grant venue changes, even when surveys show potential jurors have formed opinions about a defendant's guilt.
The details
Roper, a former Minnesota state trooper, is charged with several counts including second-degree manslaughter for his role in a 2024 crash that killed 18-year-old Olivia Flores. Roper's attorney had argued that extensive pretrial publicity would taint any potential jury pool in Olmsted County, where the trial is scheduled to take place. However, the judge ruled that the coverage did not contain inadmissible facts or sensational reporting, and cited the court's handling of the high-profile case against former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin.
- The crash happened on May 18, 2024.
- Roper's attorney filed the motion for a change of venue in February 2026.
- The judge issued her ruling denying the motion on March 16, 2026.
- Roper is next due in court for a motions hearing on June 24, 2026.
The players
Shane Roper
A 34-year-old former Minnesota state trooper charged with several criminal counts, including second-degree manslaughter, for his involvement in a 2024 crash that killed 18-year-old Olivia Flores.
Olivia Flores
An 18-year-old who was killed in the 2024 crash involving former state trooper Shane Roper.
Lisa Hayne
An Olmsted County District Court judge who denied Roper's request for a change of venue.
Derek Chauvin
A former Minneapolis police officer whose high-profile case the judge cited in her ruling.
What they’re saying
“The Court in Chauvin ultimately concluded that the 'associated publicity surrounding the Chauvin case was not so corrupting as to raise a presumption of jury partiality under either Minnesota or Supreme Court precedents,'”
— Lisa Hayne, District Court Judge
What’s next
Roper is next due in court for a motions hearing in the case on June 24, 2026.
The takeaway
This case highlights the challenges courts face in balancing the right to a fair trial with the reality of extensive media coverage of high-profile criminal cases. The judge's ruling suggests courts may be increasingly reluctant to grant venue changes, even when surveys show potential jurors have formed opinions about a defendant's guilt.
