Appeals court to hear defamation suit against Minneapolis police chief

A three-judge panel has agreed to hear an appeal by the city of Minneapolis in the defamation case against Police Chief Brian O'Hara.

Former police officer Tyler Timberlake sued O'Hara and the city last year, claiming the police chief defamed him and wrongfully fired him. Timberlake was fired after details came to light about a use-of-force incident he was involved in at a previous job.

The city says O'Hara is protected by what it calls absolute privilege because he made his statements in his official capacity as chief.

District Judge Karen Janisch was not convinced. In a ruling issued in July, Janisch said O'Hara is not an elected official and denied the city's motion to dismiss the lawsuit on that ground.

The written arguments must be submitted next month.