Today’s news update |Bullying task force definition may be too broad, Convictions could be commuted

7 Juveniles convicted of 1st degree murder in Rice County could get their sentences commuted

Seven cases in Rice County are now affected by a recent decision handed down by the US Supreme Court regarding 1st degree murder charges against a juvenile.  Rice County attorney, Paul Beaumaster says each juvenile conviction will need a fact finding piece to determine if parole is possible.  For an adult, life without parole is presumptive after a conviction of 1st degree murder in Minnesota. That sentence presumes that these individuals are not salvageable.  What this means now for juveniles is that each case will go thru district scourt, possibly appelate court or the Governor could commute the sentences to involve parole.
Having these cases go through court again can be costly to the county and to the state.  Details of how this will work should be more defined in the next 6 months.

Bullying task force may be going too far

A task force on bullying in schools did not include any teachers, principals or administrators.  Superintendent Dr. Chris Richardson said they brought experts in at the 11th hour but he’s worried about the very broad definition being discussed.  It would include even the perception of bullying regardless if an incident took place.
Richardson gives an example …  Two kids in the same grade and about the same height are running for the ball in a playground, one of them gets knocked down as they reach for the ball.  Richardson says according to this task force, that child on the ground would’ve been bullied and the child still standing would be the bully.
Richardson says a task force like this needs to bring in people who work with kids on a daily basis and understand what’s normal.  He says “stay tuned”, this will likely be hotly debated in the Legislature.

Voter turnout low but in line with the rest of the State

Voter turnout in Northfield for the Primary was approximately 15% according to City Clerk Deb Little.  The city council approved the votes this morning.  Deb Little addressed concerns over absentee voting.  They cannot tally votes unless those numbers are in.   The meeting is archived online at kymnradio.net.

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