State clemency panel weighs high-profile Twin Cities killers
The Minnesota Clemency Review Commission is weighing 35 commutation applications Friday, including requests from people convicted in several high-profile Twin Cities murders.[1]
Among the applicants is Ronald Reed, who was convicted in 2006 of the 1970 killing of St. Paul Police Officer James Sackett and is seeking parole for at least the fourth time.[1] Police groups and Sackett's family oppose Reed's release, saying under current law he would be serving life without parole even though his original sentence allows a clemency route.[1] The panel is also reviewing Jason Williams' 1992 Brooklyn Park home-invasion murder and Meng Veng's conviction in a 2005 double murder at Jimmy's Pro Billiards in Columbia Heights.[1] The commission's recommendations go to the Minnesota Board of Pardons, which has the final authority to grant or deny sentence reductions.[1]
In May 2023 the Minnesota Legislature passed clemency reforms that created the Clemency Review Commission. The commission was appointed by the governor, the attorney general and the state chief justice and began operations on July 1, 2024 after setup assistance from the Department of Corrections. In calendar year 2025 Minnesota received 99 commutation requests; the commission held hearings on 19 and recommended grants in 10.
The mainstream summary does not mention the broader context of the clemency reforms enacted in May 2023, which were spearheaded by Minnesota State Sen. Ron Latz and other legislators. These reforms not only established the Clemency Review Commission but also removed the requirement for a unanimous vote from the Board of Pardons, thereby expanding eligibility and increasing the frequency of reviews. This legislative change aims to address the issue of disproportionately long sentences stemming from previous mass incarceration policies, a perspective that highlights the evolving nature of criminal justice in Minnesota. The summary also omits the specific data regarding the commission's activity in 2025, where it received 99 commutation requests, held hearings on 19, and recommended grants in 10 cases, indicating a selective process that may reflect the commission's priorities and the nature of the cases being reviewed.[2]
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📊 Relevant Data
In calendar year 2025, Minnesota received 99 commutation requests; the Clemency Review Commission held hearings on 19 of them and recommended grants in 10 cases.
A look at Minnesota's new Clemency Review Commission — Center of the American Experiment
📌 Key Facts
- The Minnesota Clemency Review Commission is considering 35 commutation applications Friday, including multiple murder cases.
- Ronald Reed, convicted in 2006 of the 1970 killing of St. Paul Police Officer James Sackett, is seeking parole for at least the fourth time.
- Police groups and Sackett’s family oppose Reed’s release, arguing that under current law he would face life without parole, but his original sentence allows him to seek clemency.
- The commission is also reviewing Jason Williams’ 1992 Brooklyn Park home‑invasion murder case and Meng Veng’s conviction in a 2005 double‑murder at Jimmy’s Pro Billiards in Columbia Heights.
- The commission’s recommendations go to the Minnesota Board of Pardons, which has ultimate authority to grant or deny sentence reductions.
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