St. Paul –
Representative Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls) and Representative
Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake) announce legislation that
responds to the June 17, 2006 death of 2-year-old Emily Lynn
Johnson of a severe head injury one day after being assaulted
by a 13-year-old boy at her day care in Fergus Falls. The bill
calls for the age of adult certification for juvenile violent
offenses to be lowered from 14 to 13, and lengthens the amount
of time the offense stays on the perpetrator’s record.
“There must be some level of accountability when you’ve
killed someone,” Nornes said. “Current law does not provide
justice for families who lose a loved one.”
In the case of Emily Lynn Johnson, a 13-year-old boy was
charged with second-degree manslaughter in juvenile court.
Because of his age, he can’t go to prison and his record could
be cleared when he turns 19. Currently, thirteen states have
statutes that set the minimum certification age below the age
of 14. Kansas, Vermont set the age at 10 in murder cases, as
does Indiana in murder cases.
“This legislation would mean more significant punishments
for juveniles who commit serious crimes, such as murder,
manslaughter or assault with a deadly weapon,” Westrom said.
“This bill isn’t about putting juveniles in prison, but
providing the most appropriate justice for both victim and
perpetrator. It makes sense that we ‘scale’ the age of
certification for juveniles to a lower age when they commit
such violent acts. The age of 14 has been on the books for a
very long time and it’s time the law was reviewed before
anyone must deal with this tragic situation again.”
Minnesota considers violent juvenile offenses murder in the
first, second and third degrees, manslaughter in the first and
second degrees, assault in the first, second and third
degrees, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, criminal sexual
conduct in the first, second, third and fourth degrees and
malicious punishment of a child.
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Rep. Westrom is serving his sixth term in the Minnesota
House. He can be reached at the Capitol by calling
651-296-4929, or by email at rep.torrey.westrom@house.mn. His
office is located at 273 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
