Man accused of racially motivated shooting

Dave Kolpack

Associated Press

MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) - A 67-year-old accused of shooting a man just because he is black faces trial this week on attempted murder and other charges.

Authorities allege that James Waltz, who is white, had told a neighbor he hoped to someday kill a black person before he shot Ricky Davis outside a bar in International Falls in November 2004.

Opening statements were to begin Monday in Red Lake Falls, about 140 miles southwest of International Falls, a city across the border from Canada best known for being one of the coldest places in the U.S. The trial was moved because of publicity and an incident in which potential jurors saw Waltz in handcuffs.

The allegations of racism disturbed many in International Falls, which is about 95 percent white. Only 19 of the 6,605 residents counted in the 2000 U.S. Census were black.

"This is something we certainly would never expect in our community,'' International Falls Mayor Shawn Mason said. "The vast majority of us are shocked and outraged that it happened.''

The alleged racism factor in the shooting also hits home with Joe Sertich, president of a group of junior colleges that includes Rainy River Community College in International Falls. The college has increased its racial diversity in recent years, primarily by recruiting black football players.

"This is relevant,'' Sertich said. "We're very troubled by at least allegedly what was said and what appeared to be some of the motivation.''

Witnesses said Waltz was upset that several black men were in the bar on the night of the shooting. He used racial slurs and said blacks didn't belong in the town, the criminal complaint said. He allegedly pointed a handgun at three of Davis' friends, all black.

Waltz followed Davis into an alley and shot him in the stomach, the complaint said.

Davis, 30, required surgery. His whereabouts have been unknown since he was released following an arrest in October. Charges against him were dropped in that case, which stemmed from an altercation in which he was stabbed.

Waltz denied knowing anything about a shooting when police questioned him hours after it occurred. Authorities said he later told a friend that he shot Davis accidentally while showing him his German army pistol.

Aside from the attempted murder count, Waltz is charged with assault for allegedly pointing the gun at Davis' friends, and with making terroristic threats. If he is convicted of attempted first-degree murder and the jury finds that race was an issue, his sentence could increase from 16 years in prison to 20.

International Falls Police Chief Chris Raboin, public defender Bruce Biggins and county prosecutor Jennifer Hasbargen did not return calls seeking comment placed Friday.

Biggins previously had argued that there was not enough evidence to justify charges against Waltz, and that a search of his client's apartment had been illegally conducted.