ST. PAUL, MN – Following the announced release of convicted ax murderer, David Brom, Rep. Matt Bliss (R-Pennington) released the following statement:
“The scheduled release of David Brom, a man convicted of murdering his parents and two younger siblings with an ax in 1988, is a direct and disturbing consequence of a 2023 law passed by Democrats that allows even the most violent offenders to qualify for early release.
That law created the earned incentive release credit program, allowing inmates to reduce their time served through participation in rehabilitation programs. Critically, it was applied retroactively, meaning violent offenders who accepted plea deals under the expectation of serving life sentences can now be released early. Many of those deals likely would not have been offered, or accepted, had early release been a possibility at the time.
This session, I authored HF 533, a bill to correct this dangerous policy by expanding the list of crimes excluded from earned release eligibility. The bill would bar offenders convicted of first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, violent sexual assault, and other serious crimes from earning early release credits, ensuring that the most violent criminals serve their full sentence. Unfortunately, the bill was blocked in committee and received no support from Democrats.
Now the consequences of Democrats ramming through policy under the trifecta, with little concern for its effects, have been fully realized as the state is set to release an ax murderer from prison. The people of Minnesota deserve a justice system that prioritizes victims and public safety, not early release for violent offenders. I remain committed to reversing this misguided policy and ensuring that those who commit the most serious crimes serve the full terms they were sentenced to.”
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