Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris, is facing criticism for his role in the commutation of Myon Burrell’s life sentence for the 2002 murder of 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards.
Burrell, who was convicted as a teenager, was released in 2020 after Walz supported his commutation, citing evolving views on juvenile sentencing.
“Justice isn’t served by locking up a child for life for a mistake made in their youth,” Walz said at the time.
However, Burrell has since been arrested multiple times for gun and drug-related offenses, including incidents in September 2023 and May 2024.
This has reignited discussions about the implications of criminal justice reform, particularly concerning public safety and the pain expressed by Tyesha Edwards’ family, who feel their loss has been overlooked in the reform debate.
Critics argue that Walz’s decision reflects poor judgment as he prepares for a national campaign.
