Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, is facing harsh criticism for his role in the release of Myon Burrell. Burrell was twice convicted for the 2002 murder of 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards and had his life sentence commuted by Walz in 2020. Now, Burrell is back behind bars facing serious felony charges related to firearms and drugs, as reported by the Daily Mail in a damning article.
Burrell was merely 16 years old when he was first found guilty and sentenced to life for firing the stray bullet that tragically ended young Tyesha’s life while she was doing her homework at her dining table in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Then-Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar—now a U.S. Senator—took charge of Burrell’s prosecution as an adult for first-degree murder, a move that significantly boosted her political career. Despite the charges, Burrell consistently claimed his innocence and never accepted a plea deal.
The Minnesota Supreme Court revisited Burrell’s case in 2003 and overturned the initial conviction. However, new evidence led to his reconviction in 2009. The case resurfaced during Klobuchar’s presidential campaign in 2020, amidst growing calls for criminal justice reform by movements like Black Lives Matter. Associated Press investigations pointed out concerning aspects of the prosecution, including the absence of physical evidence such as DNA or the murder weapon, and reliance on inconsistent witness testimony.
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As a member of the Minnesota Board of Pardons, Governor Walz made the controversial decision in December 2020 to back the commutation of Burrell’s life sentence. He justified his decision by arguing that contemporary interpretations of juvenile sentencing deemed the original punishment too harsh. “Justice isn’t served by locking up a child for life for a mistake made in their youth,” Walz stated then, urging the Edwards family to view his decision through the lens of evolving legal standards.
Walz’s decision to support Burrell’s release was met with significant backlash. Tyesha’s brother, Jimmie Edwards III, expressed his deep pain and disagreement with the commutation, lamenting over the life Tyesha was denied. “She never got to grow up, to experience the milestones we all take for granted,” he said. “Her life was taken so young. We’re the real victims here.”
Initially, Burrell’s release seemed to align with calls for reform. However, his subsequent arrests have reignited controversy. In September 2023, Burrell was stopped for erratic driving and found to be carrying a handgun in his vehicle. Then, in May 2024, he was arrested again when police discovered illegal drugs and a large amount of money on him. During this arrest, Burrell allegedly resisted and tried to walk away before being detained.
These recent incidents have cast a dark cloud over Walz’s judgment in supporting Burrell’s release. As he steps into the national spotlight as Harris’s running mate, these concerns about his decision-making capabilities only grow stronger. Critics argue that efforts for criminal justice reform must be carefully balanced with considerations of public safety and accountability.
Good then prosecute