SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee voted to advance HF 1406 on a voice vote. HF 1406, chief authored by Representative Cedrick Frazier (DFL- New Hope) will limit the conditions under which a person can be convicted of aiding and abetting two types of felony murder.
“The way our current laws are written, the impact is disproportionate among certain segments of our communities," said Representative Frazier. “56% of those charged are under the age of 25, 48% charged are Black, and 80% of those convicted are people from communities of color. The majority of those who are convicted often do not have a previous criminal history. We have an opportunity to correct and modernize the policies to change the course for many people who have been misrepresented in our criminal justice system.”
Under current Minnesota law, a person who causes the death of another while committing a felony can be sentenced to a more serious level of murder even if the person’s actions were not premeditated or the person did not intend to cause the death of the other person. This is commonly referred to as “felony murder.” An accomplice may also be found guilty of the murder, regardless of whether the accomplice intended to cause a death. This liability for the crimes of another is often referred to as “aiding and abetting.”
The bill does not change the liability of a person who causes the death of another while committing a felony.
The committee voted to move the bill to the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee. Additional information and documents from the hearing are available on the committee webpage.