Convicted Minnesota man faces new gun and drug charges amid legal controversy

In a case that attracted widespread attention, a Minnesota man was convicted of gun and drug charges by a Hennepin County judge. That man, Myon Burrell, had previously been sentenced to life in prison as a teenager for a high-profile murder case and spent 18 years behind bars before his sentence was commuted.

Judge Mark Kappelhoff ruled in a “prearranged evidence” that there was enough evidence to find Burrell guilty of both fifth-degree weapons possession and drug possession. Both the prosecution and defense attorneys had previously agreed that Kappelhoff would decide the case based on mutually agreed evidence, thus avoiding a regular trial.

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In his ruling Friday, Kappelhoff noted that the final outcome of the case depends on a decision by the Minnesota Court of Appeals. That appeals court will determine whether Robbinsdale police officers lawfully stopped and searched Burrell's vehicle in August 2023, discovering a handgun and drugs. If the appeals court rules that the stop was unconstitutional, as argued by Burrell's defense, the charges will be dismissed. No sentencing date has been set at this time.

Burrell's previous conviction is for the 2002 murder of 11-year-old Minneapolis resident Tyesha Edwards, who was tragically killed by a ricochet bullet. At the time of that crime, Burrell was 16 years old and was sentenced to life in prison despite maintaining his innocence. In 2020, investigative reports by The Associated Press and APM revealed new evidence and significant flaws in Burrell's original case, leading to the appointment of an independent judicial panel to review it.

That independent review led the state Board of Pardons to commute Burrell's life sentence to a pardon after he had spent more than half his life in prison. However, his request for pardon was denied, and his 2008 conviction for first-degree murder remains on record, meaning he is no longer allowed to own a firearm.

The latest charges stem from an incident in August 2023. According to the arresting officer, Burrell was observed driving erratically. When he was stopped, the officer noticed smoke coming from Burrell's car and smelled a strong odor of burnt marijuana. Burrell then failed a breathalyzer test for driving under the influence. A subsequent search of the vehicle found a handgun and pills that tested positive for methamphetamine and ecstasy.

During the preliminary hearing, Judge Peter Cahill ruled that the stop and search was lawful. However, Burrell's lawyers argued that the officer did not have sufficient grounds to justify the stop, highlighting a recent Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that the smell of marijuana alone is not sufficient grounds for a search.

Burrell also faces drug charges stemming from an arrest in May. A hearing in that case is scheduled for September 23.