As the summer comes to a close, many Minnesotans are packing the kids into the minivan and heading to the Minnesota State Fair. However, safety is always a concern and the great Minnesota get-together is not exempt from chaos and disorder.
Two Men Stabbed at MN State Fair
The family fun was compromised this Sunday when two men were stabbed in the middle of the festivities. Police say that attacks were not random, but stemmed from an earlier altercation.
Both men were stabbed in the abdomen, then treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police have not recovered the weapon and no arrests have been made in connection with the stabbings. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident. According to State Fair Police Chief Art Blakey Jr., the last stabbing to occur at the fairgrounds was 5 years ago in 2007 in the Midway. Police officials are urging the public to not be deterred from enjoying the Minnesota tradition. More than 100 police officers are on-duty in the fairgrounds at any given time.
Without further details, it is difficult to predict possible charges that the assailants may face if caught. However, because the injuries sustained were relatively minor, it’s unlikely that the attacker would face charges of first degree felony assault, which in this situation would require the infliction of great bodily harm. Instead, according to MN criminal defense attorney Avery Appelman, the offense could likely be charged as assault in the second degree:
Second Degree Assault & Battery
Assault in the second degree is a felony offense punishable by up to seven to 10 years and $14,000 – $20,000 in fines. A person will likely be charged with second degree assault if they:
- Assault another with a dangerous weapon
- Assault another with a dangerous weapon and inflict substantial bodily harm
Alcohol and Safety at the Fair
Whenever crowds and alcohol mix, extra precautions must be taken to ensure safety and to prevent run-ins with the law. Beer will be served from 9am til 11pm and from 10am on Sundays at nearly 20 locations within the fairgrounds. Police plan ahead when festivities like the Minnesota State Fair roll into town, and you can expect DWI enforcement to be heightened.
To enjoy the fair responsibly, there are a few things you should consider:
1. Drinking? Plan ahead and utilize Metro Transit for the day. The bus system will have increased trips operating to and from the state fair. BONUS: No hassle with parking! Click here to find out more.
2. Remember, you’re not the best estimate of your blood alcohol content. Alcohol reacts differently within the body at any given time. Just because you feel fine to jump behind the wheel DOESN’T mean that you’re above the legal limit of 0.08. Confused? Print out this handy BAC chart and bring it with you.
| Male Female |
Approximate blood alcohol percentage (by vol.) One drink has 0.5 US fl oz (15 ml) alcohol by volume |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drinks | Body weight | ||||||||
| 40 kg | 45 kg | 55 kg | 64 kg | 73 kg | 82 kg | 91 kg | 100 kg | 109 kg | |
| 90 lb | 100 lb | 120 lb | 140 lb | 160 lb | 180 lb | 200 lb | 220 lb | 240 lb | |
| 1 | – 0.05 |
0.04 0.05 |
0.03 0.04 |
0.03 0.03 |
0.02 0.03 |
0.02 0.03 |
0.02 0.02 |
0.02 0.02 |
0.02 0.02 |
| 2 | – 0.10 |
0.08 0.09 |
0.06 0.08 |
0.05 0.07 |
0.05 0.06 |
0.04 0.05 |
0.04 0.05 |
0.03 0.04 |
0.03 0.04 |
| 3 | – 0.15 |
0.11 0.14 |
0.09 0.11 |
0.08 0.10 |
0.07 0.09 |
0.06 0.08 |
0.06 0.07 |
0.05 0.06 |
0.05 0.06 |
| 4 | – 0.20 |
0.15 0.18 |
0.12 0.15 |
0.11 0.13 |
0.09 0.11 |
0.08 0.10 |
0.08 0.09 |
0.07 0.08 |
0.06 0.08 |
| 5 | – 0.25 |
0.19 0.23 |
0.16 0.19 |
0.13 0.16 |
0.12 0.14 |
0.11 0.13 |
0.09 0.11 |
0.09 0.10 |
0.08 0.09 |
| 6 | – 0.30 |
0.23 0.27 |
0.19 0.23 |
0.16 0.19 |
0.14 0.17 |
0.13 0.15 |
0.11 0.14 |
0.10 0.12 |
0.09 0.11 |
| 7 | – 0.35 |
0.26 0.32 |
0.22 0.27 |
0.19 0.23 |
0.16 0.20 |
0.15 0.18 |
0.13 0.16 |
0.12 0.14 |
0.11 0.13 |
| 8 | – 0.40 |
0.30 0.36 |
0.25 0.30 |
0.21 0.26 |
0.19 0.23 |
0.17 0.20 |
0.15 0.18 |
0.14 0.17 |
0.13 0.15 |
| 9 | – 0.45 |
0.34 0.41 |
0.28 0.34 |
0.24 0.29 |
0.21 0.26 |
0.19 0.23 |
0.17 0.20 |
0.15 0.19 |
0.14 0.17 |
| 10 | – 0.51 |
0.38 0.45 |
0.31 0.38 |
0.27 0.32 |
0.23 0.28 |
0.21 0.25 |
0.19 0.23 |
0.17 0.21 |
0.16 0.19 |
| Subtract approximately 0.01 every 40 minutes after drinking. | |||||||||
3. Police will be patrolling the fairgrounds in large numbers. Disorderly conduct IS a crime and YOU are not exempt–it is also higly subjective and open to the interpretation of the arresting officer. Some examples include:
- Public drunkenness
- Inciting a riot
- Disturbing the peace
- Loitering
- Fighting
- Physical altercations
- Obstructing traffic
- Using obscene or abusive language
- Unreasonable loud noise
4. If you make a mistake and find yourself in trouble, remember that you have the right to speak with an attorney before answering ANY questions. Don’t take any chances, contact us right away if you’re pulled over or pulled aside for questioning.
Related Sources:
Star Tribune
KEYC TV
Virginia Tech
