Jan 15, 2021
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Republican lawmakers proposed Thursday to increase the penalty for the attempted murder of a police officer a year after a southern Minnesota officer was gravely wounded while on-duty.
The legislation would increase the minimum sentence for those convicted of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer from 20 years, with the possibility of parole after just over 13 years, to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
Sen. John Jasinski, of Faribault, and Rep. John Petersburg, of Waseca, presented the bill alongside Waseca Police Officer Arik Matson, who was shot in the head while responding to a suspicious person call last January.
Minnesota Senator Proposes Upping Penalties for Injuring Cops
John Jasinski, District 24 Minnesota State Senator from Faribault wants to increase penalties for injuring law enforcement officers. Senator Jasinski will be holding a news conference Thursday along with others to outline the proposed legislation.
Jasinski will be joined by State Representative John Petersburg of Waseca, Waseca Police Officer Arik Matson, Megan Matson, Minnesota Police and Protection Officers Association (MPPOA) Executive Director Brian Peters and Waseca County Attorney Rachel Corneilus.
Last January Matson was severely injured while responding to a call in Waseca when he was shot in the head. He is still undergoing therapy in an attempt to recover from the brain injury caused by the bullet fired by a suspect he and other Waseca Police were attempting to apprehend.