Governor's Commission on Violent Crimes
Active dates:1991-1992
Authority:
Governor Arne Carlson
Function: Gather public input for laws to be introduced to the 1992 Legislature; review the functions and policies of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission; and identify weak links in the criminal justice system in Minnesota.
History:
The slaying of Melissa "Missy" Johnson, 23, a St. Cloud State University student from Alexandria by Scott Edward Stewart, 25, a twice-convicted sexual offender, prompted several legislators and Governor Carlson to respond to public calls for tougher anticrime legislation with several actions including the creation of this commission.
The group's mission was two-fold. The first was to gather input from around Minnesota about what changes needed to be made in Minnesota's criminal justice system, and how the state could balance victim's rights with those of the accused. Second, the
Commission was to explore ways to change Minnesotan's attitudes, so that violent behavior would no longer be tolerated.
Members of the Commission held community leaders meetings and public hearings in St. Cloud, Bemidji, Duluth, Grand Rapids, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Winona, Northfield, Marshall, and Alexandria.
Membership:
25 members (representatives from law enforcement, legislators, public defenders, victim advocates, and citizens)
Agency heads:
Co-chairs: Joanne Benson; Kevin Johnson
Notes:
Final report dated 18 December 1991 in catalog.
Note: The Legislative Reference Library may have additional reports on or by this group available through our catalog.
Documents/Articles:
News clippings and documents. Agencies Notebook Collection, 1991.
Record last updated:
12/03/2013
All information on this group from the Library’s collection of agency notebooks has been digitized. These
materials are incorporated into the “documents/articles” section of the record. Please contact a librarian with any questions. The Minnesota Agencies database is a work in progress.