Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, currently serving as Kamala Harris’s running mate, finds himself at the center of a political maelstrom. The controversy stems from his involvement in the release of Myon Burrell, a man twice convicted for the 2002 murder of 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards. Burrell, who was released in 2020 following Walz’s decision to commute his life sentence, has since been arrested on serious felony charges, igniting a firestorm of criticism and raising questions about Walz’s judgment and political future.
Burrell was just 16 years old when he was initially convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the stray bullet that killed young Tyesha Edwards as she innocently did her homework at her dining room table in Hennepin County. The prosecution, led by then-Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar—now a U.S. Senator—charged Burrell as an adult, a move that significantly boosted Klobuchar’s political profile. Despite the conviction, Burrell consistently maintained his innocence, refusing any plea deals.
The Minnesota Supreme Court overturned Burrell’s initial conviction in 2003, only for him to be reconvicted in 2009 after new evidence emerged. The case gained renewed attention in 2020 as Klobuchar’s presidential campaign coincided with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. Investigations by the Associated Press revealed troubling aspects of the prosecution, including a lack of physical evidence and the reliance on inconsistent witness testimonies.
Governor Walz, as part of the Minnesota Board of Pardons, voted in December 2020 to commute Burrell’s life sentence, citing modern understandings of juvenile sentencing. “Justice isn’t served by locking up a child for life for a mistake made in their youth,” Walz argued, urging the Edwards family to view the decision through the lens of evolving legal standards.
The decision, however, did not sit well with everyone. Tyesha’s brother, Jimmie Edwards III, voiced his family’s pain and disagreement with the commutation. “She never got to grow up, to experience the milestones we all take for granted,” he lamented. “Her life was taken so young. We’re the real victims here.”
Burrell’s release initially seemed like a victory for criminal justice reform advocates, but his subsequent actions have cast a shadow over Walz’s decision. In September 2023, Burrell was pulled over for erratic driving, leading to the discovery of a handgun in his vehicle. In May 2024, he faced arrest again for possessing illegal drugs and a large sum of cash. Burrell allegedly resisted arrest during this incident, attempting to walk away before being detained.
These developments have raised significant concerns about Walz’s judgment, especially as he steps into the national spotlight as Harris’s running mate. Critics argue that while criminal justice reform is essential, it must be balanced with public safety and accountability. The scandal has put Walz on the defensive, potentially jeopardizing his political aspirations.
Walz’s involvement in the Myon Burrell case is likely to cast a long shadow over his political career and potentially influencing voter perception.
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