MINNEAPOLIS — A Minnesota man expressed frustration toward his supporters by shouting, “Y’all don’t stop fighting,” after a judge ruled against his release from custody on Thursday. This decision comes as he appeals his conviction related to a gun and drug offense, a case that gained notoriety following the commutation of his life sentence for a previous high-profile murder.
Myon Burrell was arrested at the age of 16 for the murder of 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards in 2002, a tragic incident where the young girl was struck by a stray bullet in Minneapolis. Burrell has consistently claimed he is innocent. Investigative reporting by the Associated Press and APM Reports in 2020 brought to light new evidence and significant irregularities in the original investigation, prompting the establishment of an independent legal panel to scrutinize the details of the case.
After spending 18 years in prison, Burrell was eventually released. However, during a traffic stop in Robbinsdale, a suburb of Minneapolis, police discovered drugs and a handgun in his vehicle. This discovery posed a significant legal issue for Burrell, as, despite the state pardons board commuting his life sentence, his request for a pardon was denied. Consequently, his original conviction for first-degree murder remained intact, rendering him prohibited from possessing a firearm.
As a result, he received a five-year prison sentence due to the charges related to the drugs and gun. Nonetheless, Burrell’s defense team is contesting the legality of the traffic stop that led to his arrest. Now 38 years old, Burrell acknowledged on Thursday that while there is no justification for his actions, he is striving to rebuild his life and comprehend the impact of his time in prison. His supporters highlighted his influential efforts with youth, emphasizing his commitment to preventing incarceration among young people, as noted by the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Senior Assistant County Attorney Cheri Townsend stated that the state opposed Burrell’s release due to concerns regarding public safety. Following the traffic stop, Burrell faced an additional drug charge in May after police reportedly discovered a small quantity of methamphetamine in his vehicle and $60,000 hidden in a suitcase at his residence. Subsequently, he was arrested a few months later on suspicion of driving under the influence, during which marijuana was found in his car.
Both pending cases have raised significant concerns, leading Hennepin County District Judge Mark Kappelhoff to express doubts about Burrell’s ability to demonstrate that he would not pose a threat of committing serious crimes. Kappelhoff, who has extensive experience in civil rights law, acknowledged the community’s concerns but emphasized his responsibility to apply the law based on the evidence presented in the case.
