St. Paul officer's killer among 35 cases before Clemency Review Commission
State panel reviews convicted killers' clemency requests
The Minnesota Clemency Review Commission is reviewing 35 cases on Friday, including Ronald Reed, who was convicted of the killing of St. Paul Police Officer James Sackett. The commission will make recommendations that could determine whether inmates move closer to being released.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A man convicted of killing a St. Paul police officer is among 35 inmates whose cases were reviewed by the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission on Friday.
Commission to review high-profile parole cases
The backstory:
The commission, which meets four times a year, met Friday morning to discuss 35 cases. Nine commissioners reviewed each commutation application and determined whether they would be denied without a hearing. If the application is not denied, it remains on the list for an eventual hearing, during which the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission will make a recommendation to the Minnesota Board of Pardons, which has the final say.
Among the cases reviewed Friday was of Ronald Reed, who is serving a life sentence for the 1970 killing of St. Paul Police Officer James Sackett. Officer Sackett's murder remained unsolved for decades before Reed was convicted in 2006. Reed is now seeking parole for the fourth time.
The National Police Association and members of Officer Sackett's family oppose Reed's release. They argue that if Reed had been sentenced under current Minnesota law, he would be serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Because he was sentenced under laws in effect at the time of the crime, however, he is eligible to seek release.
Other cases being reviewed
Dig deeper:
The commission also reviewed the case of Jason Williams, who was convicted of murder and attempted murder in connection with a 1992 Brooklyn Park home invasion. Prosecutors said the attack left a mother and one of her children dead, while another child was seriously injured. Williams was 16 years old when the crimes occurred but was tried as an adult.
Another case that was reviewed was that of Meng Veng, who was convicted of aiding and abetting first-degree murder in a 2005 gang-related shooting at Jimmy's Pro Billiards in Columbia Heights. Two people were killed in the shooting.
All three cases remain on the list to have their commutation applications considered.
What's next:
According to the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission, clemency is an act of mercy or compassion shown to someone convicted of a crime. In Minnesota, the most common forms of clemency are pardons, which are available to people who have completed their sentences, and commutations, which can reduce or modify the sentences of people who are still incarcerated.
The Clemency Review Commission is scheduled to hold clemency hearings on Aug. 7.
The Source: This story uses information from the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission.