January 25, 2021 Kaitlyn Falk and Matthew DiTullio represented Burrell through the Law School’s Child Advocacy and Juvenile Justice Clinic.
Cheers greeted Myon Burrell as he walked out of the Stillwater Correctional Facility Dec. 15 after serving 18 years of a life sentence.
A Minnesota Law professor and two Law School clinic students played key roles in gaining freedom for Burrell.
Professor Perry Moriearty, student attorney Kaitlyn Falk, and recent graduate Matthew DiTullio ’20 represented Burrell through the Law School’s Child Advocacy and Juvenile Justice Clinic.
The commutation of Burrell’s sentence came a week after an independent panel of national legal experts released a report recommending his release. The report raised concerns about the integrity of Burrell’s conviction and whether he was involved in the shooting of Tyesha Edwards. It called for the Minnesota Attorney General’s new Conviction Review Unit to investigate the case, citin
Myon Burrell was released from Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater, Tuesday, following a vote by Minnesota s pardon board commuting his sentence. Burrell, who is Black, was sent to prison for life as a teen in a high-profile murder case that raised questions about the integrity of the criminal justice system that put him away. John Minchillo / AP
The Minnesota Board of Pardons on Tuesday commuted the life sentence of Myon Burrell, a Black man who was sentenced to life in prison as a minor.
Burrell, who was 16 at the time of his arrest, was accused of
fatally shooting an 11-year old girl, who was struck by a stray bullet while doing her homework inside her family s Minneapolis home.
By Cherranda Smith
After spending 18 years in prison,
Myon Burrell was released on Tuesday (December 15). He was greeted by family and advocates outside of the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater in Bayport, Minnesota.
In 2002, at age 16, Burrell received a life sentence following the death of
Tyesha Edwards, an 11-year-old girl killed by a stray bullet.
The Minnesota Board of Pardons commuted his life sentence, reducing it to 20 years. Burrell, now 34 years old, will spend the remaining two years on supervised release, according to
His case sparked outrage from criminal justice reform advocates and was a point of contention in Senator
Amy Klobuchar’s presidential run. Klobuchar was the Hennepin County attorney at the time of Burrell’s conviction and led the office. Her “tough on crime” campaign message was criticized in light of her involvement in Burrell’s case following further investigation.
Minnesota Board of Pardons commutes Myon Burrell s sentence, releases him from prison mdjonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mdjonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Minnesota Commutes Life Sentence Of Man Convicted As Teen Of Shooting 11-Year-Old
By Vanessa Romo
December 16, 2020
The Minnesota Board of Pardons on Tuesday commuted the life sentence of Myon Burrell, a Black man who was sentenced to life in prison as a minor.
Burrell, who was 16 at the time of his arrest, was accused of
fatally shooting an 11-year old girl, who was struck by a stray bullet while doing her homework inside her family’s Minneapolis home.
Following the announcement of his imminent release, Burrell held back tears.
“Thank you. Thank you very much,” he said reaching a hand out to the camera.