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The Death Penalty in Minnesota?

2004 Legislature Adjourned without Death Penalty Bill

The Minnesota Legislature adjourned their 2004 session in May, 2004 without sending a death penalty bill to the Governor. The information on this page remains as historical information and for research use. Should the death penalty issue arise again in Minnesota, check back to these pages to learn more.

Senate Committee kills Death Penalty Bill

The Senate Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee defeated SF 1860 by an overwhelming 8 to 2 majority after considering the bill on March 24, 2004. This effectively kills the chances of this bill getting anywhere during the 2004 legislative session. Amnesty International will continue to keep an eye on this issue and take action to prevent the return of executions to Minnesota.

Governor Pawlenty Announces Strategy for Bringing Executions back to Minnesota

At a press conference on January 27th, Governor Tim Pawlenty announced his plan to seek a constitutional amendment to reintroduce the death penalty in Minnesota. The amendment would be pursued through a referendum on the November election ballot.

Bills Introduced in House and Senate

Even before Governor Pawlenty announced his "Constitutional Strategy," House File 1602 sat awaiting a hearing before the House Judiciary & Finance Committee, where it was referred in May of 2003. The House bill was joined by a companion bill in the Senate, Senate File 1860, on Monday, February 9, 2004. Before it was heard in committee on February 26, HF 1602 was amended to bring it into line with Pawlenty’s proposal for a constitutional amendment, but the committee failed to act on the bill at the February 26 meeting. The Senate bill still awaits a committee hearing.

Background

On December 2nd, 2003, Pawlenty publicly voiced his opinion that Minnesota should reinstate the death penalty for certain crimes. This immediately raised concerns with Amnesty International, other human rights organizations, and citizens that plans for reinstatement would be pushed forward in the state legislature. Minnesota abolished capital punishment in 1911.

The governor’s comments raised speculation at first that there may be attempts to move House File 1602 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. HF 1602 seeks to reinstate the death penalty at the state level, and its Senate companion bill, Senate File 1860, was introduced on February 9, 2004. On January 27th, Pawlenty unveiled his plan to seek reinstatement through a constitutional amendment, which would happen by both houses of the Legislature approving a question to voters on the November ballot.

The "Constitutional Strategy" provides some political cover to legislators by replacing the question of reinstatement with one of "turning the question over to the voters," but is also avoids confronting the basic human rights violations that reinstatement is bound to bring with it.

Opponents of the Death Penalty are Organizing

Amnesty International local and student groups in Minnesota are organizing to assist citizens voice their concerns over these developments. We have developed a list of key ways each Minnesotan can help to make sure the death penalty does not return to Minnesota after nearly a century. We are also committed to providing information about this issue to the public, recognizing that "knowledge is power."

Things You Can Do:

Join a network of citizens organizing to oppose the death penalty in Minnesota

Contact Your Legislator to express your opposition

Keep us updated on your efforts

Get involved with AIUSA Group 37, another local group, or a student group

Learn More about the Issue:

Media coverage of death penalty issues in Minnesota

Resources on the death penalty Including upcoming events!

Track HF the issue at the Legislature