UPDATE: Shiloh Hendrix releases first statement since trial

2:56 PM SATURDAY: Shiloh Hendrix has spoken out for the first time after Thursday’s verdict. Hendrix said the following through a post on GiveSendGo:

“Hello! I hope everyone is doing well! I just got back home to my sons yesterday after being away from them for several days due to my trial. It’s the longest time I’ve ever been separated from them. I missed them so much. I can’t even imagine if they had jailed me for this. My family’s hearts would have been broken. I’m so grateful to be home.

I have had an excellent team with me throughout this whole thing. My husband has never left my side. Tom Hennessy was reporting the truth the whole time to keep you all updated. My lawyer, Brian Karalus, has proven to be the perfect person for this case. I also had a group of patriots serve as my security. I am so thankful for them all.

I also wanted to add that I am not on social media. I have been told there is someone out there impersonating me. Don’t fall for their tricks.

We all know the verdict. We all know how unfair and unjust it is. This is why I will be appealing. Things are already in motion to do so. I will never stop fighting, and all of you give me so much strength and hope to keep my head in the battle. I don’t know what I would do without all of your support. You’ve all proven time and time again how great we can be when we stick together. It makes my heart happy.

Thank you for staying by my side. Thank you for showing the world what we can do. Thank you for helping me protect my family. Thank you for everything.

Shiloh"

UPDATE: July 24, 1:06 p.m. The Rochester Branch of the NAACP has also responded to the verdict in the Shiloh Hendrix trial.

It said the end of the trial makes for an “important step” toward accountability in the community. Though the full verdict was not the one it had hoped for, it believes a clear message was sent that “bias-motivated conduct” has consequences.

The NAACP added that it wished there were convictions on both charges and believes a stronger sentence would have reflected Hendrix’s actions, as well as the “profound harm” it caused to the child, his family and the community.

However, the NAACP noted that it’s the first instance in the community, in its recollection, where an individual was held criminally accountable for this type of conduct, simply stating “that matters.”

President of the Rochester Branch of the NAACP Walé Elegbede stated the following, believing conduct of this nature will not “be ignored” and will also bring consequences:

“At the NAACP, we have a saying, ‘when we fight, we win’. This verdict is an important step. It sends a clear message that conduct motivated by hatred and directed at a vulnerable child or any person in our community has consequences and will not simply be ignored. The Rochester Branch of the NAACP thanks the Jimale family for their courage in seeking justice for their child. We thank Rochester City Attorney, Michael Spindler-Krage, Prosecutor Nicholas Shabel, and the entire City of Rochester City Attorney’s Office for their professionalism and dedication in pursuing this case. We thank the Rochester Branch of the NAACP Executive Committee for their unwavering commitment throughout this journey. We thank the NAACP Minnesota/Dakotas Area State Conference for its guidance when it was needed most. And lastly, we thank Rochester community members and people from across the country and around the world who reached out to us and stood with us in our efforts to fight for justice and support this family. Throughout this process, our focus has never been on one individual. Our focus has been on a child who deserved dignity, a family that deserved justice, and a community that deserves to live free from hatred and discrimination.”

Defense Attorney Brian Karalus also reacted strongly to the verdict, airing out several grievances, believing he was unable to submit testimony and evidence of a GoFundMe account, allegedly belonging to the child’s father.

“340,000 he raised. The judge would not let me show it to a jury,” Karalus said. “You can’t authenticate this; you can’t lay foundation. This prosecutor is telling the judge ‘Oh how do we know this is real, how do we know this is real. Anyone can make this up.’ You can go online right now, go on that page, unless they run and take it down, scroll down. He has an open GoFundMe.”

Elegbede, however, stated the GoFundMe was started by the NAACP, and the family was not motivated by money, but justice.

“They are a good family. They work hard, they are humble and they are not interested in financial gain,” Elegbede said. “They are not interested in publicity.”

UPDATE: July 24, 9:30 a.m. The Rochester City Attorney’s Office has released the following statement regarding the Shiloh Hendrix verdict:

We acknowledge yesterday’s jury verdict convicting Shiloh Hendrix of disorderly conduct in relation to an incident that occurred at Roy Sutherland Playground at Soldier’s Field Park in April of 2025. We respect the judicial process and appreciate the time, dedication, and service of the jurors, the court, and all parties involved.

In addition to this conviction, the State acknowledges what has made this incident so painful for many, in our community and beyond; Ms. Hendrix fully admitted to her hateful and racist conduct, toward a child with a disability and others, and she has profited immensely while showing no remorse.

Since 2025, we have recognized the significant attention and emotion surrounding this case, as well as the complex and lasting impacts situations like this have on communities of color and on our broader community. In the time following the incident, conversations and community‑driven activities began unfolding across many different spaces, reflecting both immediate responses and long‑term needs. This work continues today and remains an important part of supporting community reconciliation and progress.

As partners in this work, we remain committed to listening, engaging, and supporting efforts that strengthen trust and well‑being across the community. We do not anticipate providing further comment on this matter.

UPDATE: July 23rd, 11:09 PM: The jury has reached the following verdict in the trial of Shiloh Hendrix:

• Not Guilty for disorderly conduct including a child.
• Guilty for disorderly conduct against the man operating the camera.

Hendrix will also receive supervised probation, 90 days in jail which will be stayed, serve 200 hours of community work service, and is also ordered to pay a $1000 fine.

Hendrix was given the opportunity to speak after the verdict was read and did not say anything.

Prosecutors read an impact statement written by the Rochester Branch of the NAACP.

UPDATE: July 23rd, 10:17 PM: A verdict has reportedly been reached. KTTC will update when the jury’s verdict is known.

UPDATE: July 23rd, 7:28 PM: The jury’s question reportedly had to do with the definition of the word “boisterous”, however, the court would not give them one and referred them to the jury instructions.

The judge said she would allow the jury to deliberate for as long as they wanted to Thursday night.

UPDATE: July 23rd, 6:33 PM: Court is reportedly going into session, as there is a question from the jury.

UPDATE: July 23rd, 1 p.m.: The jury is now deliberating in the trial of Shiloh Hendrix who is accused of two counts of disorderly conduct tied to a calling a Black child a racial slur at a Rochester park in April 2025.

Earlier in the morning, the court called a quick recess and prosecutors asked to speak with the judge privately regarding a “security issue”. When back in session a few minutes later, the court never addressed the “security issue”.

During day three of the trial, Hendrix decided not to testify.

The defense called one witness to the stand, Rochester Police Department Sargeant Ben Schlag, who initially interview the child’s father, Shire Jimale, on May 8, 2025.

Schlag explained his job was to conduct an initial interview with Jimale to gather details about the incident at the Rochester park and to determine Jimale’s son was the correct victim.

Schlag noted during his 40-minute interview with Jimale he was not emotional and did not have trouble answering questions with an interpreter. Hendrix’s defense attorney noted several times he believed Jimale was being “evasive” of answering his questions.

Schlag testified during Jimale’s first interview that he never said he feared Hendrix was going to “strike” his son. Jimale did mention that concern during his second interview the next day.

After the RPD detective finished testifying, the defense wanted to call an additional witness to testify about “the internet” with a goal of proving Jimale was aware of a Go Fund Me page in his name. Jimale previously testified he was not aware of a Go Fund Me page in his name or the page by the Rochester branch of the NAACP until after he interviewed with police. Jimale testified he told the NAACP to put the money in a trust for his son.

Judge Christa Daily said she would not allow Karalus to submit evidence of the Go Fund Me page or let the witness testify about “the internet” because it could not be proven to be true or correct. From there, tensions between Karalus and Daily rose as the attorney expressed his frustration with the court.

Daily warned Karalus if he continued, he would be held in contempt of the court. If an attorney is found in contempt of the court, a judge can order the attorney to pay a monetary penalty to the court, and in severe cases, a judge can send the attorney to a local jail for a brief period. A judge could also declare a mistrial or pause the case.

After the argument over evidence, the defense rested its case.

The state’s final argument presented by Nicholas Schabel lasted 15 minutes. Schabel telling the jury the evidence tells a straight forward story. He argued Hendrix knew her conduct and words could evoke an assault, was offensive, and would disturb the peace.

The defense’s closing argument presented by Karalus lasted roughly 50 minutes. Karalus opened his argument by reminding the jury the case is a very serious issue because it involves freedom of speech.

Karalus went on to add “cancel culture” has destroyed people’s lives and asking the jury to separate Hendrix’s conduct from her speech.

The state claims the Black child took an apple sauce packet out of Hendrix’s bag. Karalus told the jury the state is pushing that narrative to make Hendrix’s reaction seem unreasonable. Karalus explained there was no evidence presented that Hendrix knew it was an apple sauce packet taken. Karalus told the jury the state is “embellishing” the evidence and Hendrix was a “victim of a theft”.

Karalus then touched on the video recording of the incident that went viral on social media. Karalus said in the video you can hear Hendrix was “baited” and “goated” into continuing to use a racial slur. He went on to state that Hendrix’s conduct was not “even close to being a crime”.

Karalus then went on in length about freedom of speech in America and how important it is to protect speech, no matter how offensive. Karalus even told the jury it was the “last line of defense” to protect free speech.

The jury started deliberations at 1 p.m. on Thursday. Two jurors were dismissed because they were alternates. Six jurors are responsible for coming to a verdict.

UPDATE: July 23rd, 11:00 a.m.: The trial is currently in recess for a “security issue.”

The judge reportedly warned the defense attorney is in contempt of court.

The defense has rested its case and Hendrix did not testify.

More information to come.

UPDATE: July 22nd, 4:30 p.m.: The father of the child finished his testimony shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Prosecutors mostly focused on what the father, Shire Jimale, experienced at the Rochester park on April 28, 2025. Prosecutors highlighted that Jimale feared Hendrix would “strike” his child because she was “angry” after the child took a snack out of her diaper bag.

Hendrix’s defense attorney, Brian Karalus, took a different approach. During cross examination of Jimale, the defense zeroed in on the money raised by the NAACP. Shortly after the April 2025 incident, the NAACP raised more than $340,000 for the impacted child.

Karalus accused Jimale of only going to the police after he learned about the money. Jimale testified that he did not learn about the money until after he was interviewed by police and confirmed to be the father of the impacted child. Jimale testified the NAACP approached him about the money, and he then instructed the organization to put it into a trust for his son.

It is important to note that Hendrix raised more than $800,000 through a fund-raising platform after the April 2025 incident.

The defense also raised concerns that Jimale’s testimony was inconsistent and “fabricated”. Karalus highlighting Jimale’s testimony may be different than what he told police. Karalus claims Jimale never told police he feared Hendrix was going to “strike” his child. The state later called an RPD detective who confirmed Jimale did tell police he feared Hendrix would “strike” his child.

The state rested its case at around 4 p.m. Wednesday. The defense intends to present its arguments Thursday.

After the jury was dismissed, concerns were raised that jurors have talked to people outside of the court about the case. Very little details were offered, but the court mentioned a post on Facebook by someone claiming to know a juror and that a verdict was already predetermined.

The judge said the court was made aware of the Facebook post Tuesday night and asked the Rochester Police Department to investigate. According to the judge, RPD confirmed the person who made the post does not live in Minnesota but did live in the Rochester area at one point. Police were not able to make a connection between the person responsible for the post and the panel of jurors. It is expected that the jurors will be questioned about the concern raised Thursday.

UPDATE: July 22nd, 4:05 p.m.: The state has reportedly rested its case. More details are to come.

UPDATE: July 22nd, 1:45 p.m.: Attorneys were in a private room with the judge discussing matters off the record. The judge then came back into the courtroom and announced the court would be on recess until 2 p.m.

The father of the child is still expected to continue testifying Wednesday afternoon.

UPDATE: July 22nd, 10:40 a.m.: Testimony continued Wednesday with the child’s father.

The witness required a Somali interpreter. Defense has brought up the possibility of impeaching the witness, claiming his testimony is false about his fear that Hendrix was going to “strike the child” and his testimony is “fabricated” from what he originally told police. The defense accused the witness of being motivated by money and only talking to police after he learned about the money fundraised by the NAACP.

There appears to be a lot of confusion in the courtroom Wednesday morning with the interpretation. The defense attorney could be heard asking the gallery “if this is even real”.

A motion was made at the bench, during a private conversation. The judge then began to yell at the defense attorney that his motion was denied.

The jury was quickly taken out of the room. The judge then said the defense’s comments about the “court being dumber than a law student” would not be tolerated, nor his refusal to accept rulings by the court.

UPDATE: July 21st, 5:15 p.m.: Attorneys for both the defense and prosecution delivered their opening statements to the jury Tuesday afternoon.

The prosecution explaining to the jury in April 2025, a Black child living with autism was chased by Shiloh Hendrix after he took an apple sauce packet from her diaper bag.

Prosecutors said after Hendrix called the child a racial slur, the father of the child fear she would “strike” the child. The prosecutor also explained this case isn’t just about the racial slur used, but the chasing, hollering and several confrontation’s Hendrix was involved in on that day.

Hendrix’s defense attorney argued she was harassed and baited into using the racial slur. The defense said this case is not about what is morally wrong, but what is legally wrong. The defense went on to say the case is about free speech and the first amendment. Attorney Brian Karalus added while there were poor decisions made by Hendrix, she did not commit a crime.

Karalus ended his opening statement by asking the jury to protect free speech, no matter how vulgar the words may be.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, the first witness took the stand. State prosecutors called the child’s father, Shire Jimale, to the stand.

Jimale explained on that April day he went to the park near Soldier’s Field with three of his children, one of which lives with autism. At one point, Jimale was following his child when he saw he reached into Hendrix’s diaper bag and grab an apple sauce packet. The child then ran onto the playground equipment, and Hendrix followed “yelling” racial slurs.

The father said Hendrix was “running after the child” and “quickly grabbing” at the child. Hendrix could be seen shaking her head during that statement.

Jimale said his child was “spooked” from Hendrix, later adding if he wasn’t there, he was sure Hendrix would have “hit” the child.

The defense had several objections during the father’s testimony citing irrelevance.

The jury also saw the video of Hendrix using the racial slur at the park. The person recording the video can be heard asking Hendrix to repeat the racial slur she said. Hendrix then can be heard saying the slur several more times.

Testimony will continue Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. It is unclear if Hendrix plans to take the witness stand.

UPDATE: July 21st, 12:00 p.m.: The jury has been selected with five women and three men.

UPDATE: July 20th, 5:15 p.m.: Court was dismissed for the day shortly before 5 p.m.

Jury selection will continue Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. The court is looking for six jurors with two alternates.

Before court dismissed for the day, prosecutors and defense attorneys questioned a panel of jurors. The attorneys focused their questions on if jurors have any previous knowledge of the case or personal biases, they will not be able to put aside.

The judge reminding jurors and attorneys throughout the day on if they will be able to follow the law as the judge gives it to them, not what they think the law should be.

Once the jury is seated, opening statements are expected to follow.

Hendrix was seen leaving the Olmsted County Courthouse shortly before 5 p.m. with several masked men.

Earlier in the day, a small group of protestors gathered outside of the courthouse with signs that read “Shiloh did nothing wrong” and “white unity”.

UPDATE July 20th, 12:30 p.m.: Four potential jurors have been called for individual questioning. A pool of about 35 potential jurors were called into the courtroom.

The court is on lunch until 1:30 p.m. Jury selection is expected to continue Monday afternoon.

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The trial for the woman seen in a viral video calling a Black child a racial slur at a Rochester park is in court Monday for the start of her jury trial.

Shiloh Hendrix is charged with two disorderly conduct charges tied to the April 2025 incident.

As of 10:30 a.m. Monday, jury selection has yet to start. Hendrix’s defense attorney Brian Karalus raised concerns that he still does not have a list of witnesses the state intends to call. Karalus initially suggesting he didn’t want any witnesses called.

The prosecutor argued it was not going to release the witness list for as long as possible out of concerns for safety. The prosecutor also said the defense was aware of that arrangement and made no prior objections.

According to the judge, there were three prior meetings off-the-record to discuss safety for the trial for all parties involved.

The state agreed to give the defense a list of names and contact information for the witnesses they intend to call.

Karalus suggested moving forward with jury selection Monday and then continuing Tuesday with opening statements.

It is unclear as of Monday if Hendrix will take the witness stand.

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