Judge denies new trial in Minneapolis girl’s killing
A Hennepin County judge denied Dpree Shareef Robinson’s postconviction bid to withdraw his 2023 guilty plea and vacate his 37.5‑year sentence for the 2021 drive‑by shooting that killed 9‑year‑old Trinity Ottoson‑Smith in Minneapolis. The court found no evidence Robinson was impaired by oxycodone at his plea hearing and rejected his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, keeping his second‑degree murder conviction and sentence in place.
📌 Key Facts
- Ruling: Postconviction petition to undo plea and sentence denied this week in Hennepin County District Court
- Defendant: Dpree Shareef Robinson; pled guilty in March 2023 to second‑degree murder; received 37.5‑year sentence
- Victim: 9‑year‑old Trinity Ottoson‑Smith, shot while on a trampoline at a North Illion Ave. home in 2021; died 12 days later
- Judge’s findings: Last oxycodone dose was >2 days before plea; typical effect ~6 hours; judge, prosecutor and defense counsel all said Robinson appeared alert
- Ineffective‑counsel claim: Court found no showing that performance fell below objective standards