The Justice Department has opened a civil rights probe into Pretti's fatal shooting by federal immigration officers. However, the Trump administration has said there is no need for a similar probe into Good's death. Minnesota officials launched legal steps soon after Pretti's killing in an effort to stake their claim to investigate, including obtaining a search warrant and suing to "vindicate their right to access evidence."
Hellerstein's ruling, which echoed his previous denial, did not consider whether certain evidence admitted during the state court trial relates to immunized official acts or, if so, whether evidentiary immunity transformed the hush money case into one that relates to official acts, the appeals court panel said. The three judges said Hellerstein should closely review evidence that Trump claims relate to official acts.