35 years since law school grad found dead in St. Paul home, homicide still unsolved

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Thirty-five years after a law school graduate was found killed in his St. Paul home, his homicide remains unsolved.

Robert Spann (Photo from Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension cold case playing card)

Robert Spann, 27, graduated from William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline) and was president of the Black Law Students Association.

“Today we remember Robert Spann and his loved ones,” said Alyssa Arcand, a St. Paul police spokeswoman, on Thursday. “Thirty-five years without closure for this case is 35 years too long. … Even the smallest piece of information could lead to justice for Robert.”

Spann lived with his girlfriend, who was a Minneapolis city attorney, on Marshall Avenue between Milton and Victoria streets, according to a Pioneer Press article from the week of his homicide.

Spann’s girlfriend’s teenage son found his body in the basement when he returned from school about 4 p.m. on Nov. 6, 1990.

Spann was shot and stabbed, and robbery was a possible motive as monetary items were taken from the residence, according to a cold case playing card highlighting Spann’s case that was distributed by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

St. Paul police are asking anyone with information to call them at 651-266-5650.

Spann, originally from Elgin, Ill., dreamed of being a lawyer since his youth. Bagging groceries helped pay his way,

He graduated from law school in 1989 and was planning to take the bar exam again.

“He always wanted to be a lawyer, to help other people,” his brother said at the time. “I hope they find who did this and bring them to justice.”

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