Court says convicted serial rapist should be released
Recent Cases
A convicted serial rapist should be allowed to be released into the community under supervision, the Minnesota state Court of Appeals ruled Monday, saying the state did not prove by clear and convincing evidence that Thomas Duvall should remain in treatment.
Department of Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper said Monday that she will appeal the provisional discharge of Duvall, in a case that once set off a political firestorm as lawmakers were considering changes to the state's treatment program for sex offenders.
"I have grave concerns about this decision," Piper said in a statement. "Three experts have previously testified that Thomas Duvall is not ready for life in the community and that he presents far too great a risk to public safety. I share that view and will exhaust every possible avenue of appeal."
Duvall, 62, has spent the last 30 years locked up for the violent rapes of teenage girls in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1987, he bound a Brooklyn Park girl with an electrical cord and raped her repeatedly over several hours while hitting her with a hammer. He was civilly committed as a psychopathic personality in 1991 and sent to the Minnesota Sex Offender Program.
Duvall has been in treatment since 2001 and was diagnosed as a sexual sadist. He has been in the final stages of the program since 2010, living outside the security perimeter at the facility in St. Peter, going on regular supervised community outings, volunteering at a thrift store, attending community support groups and preparing for transition into the community.
Related listings
-
Missouri court gives jolt of life to long Midwest power line
Recent Cases 07/16/2018A proposal for a high-voltage power line carrying wind energy across the Midwest received a jolt of new life Tuesday as the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that state regulators had wrongly rejected it.The ruling is a major victory in the quest by Clean...
-
3 more Supreme Court candidates meet with Trump
Recent Cases 07/09/2018President Donald Trump spoke with three more potential Supreme Court candidates on Tuesday as a key senator privately aired concerns about one of the contenders.As Trump weighs his options, he has heard from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who has expressed r...
-
The Latest: Trump promises 'great' pick for Supreme Court
Recent Cases 07/01/2018President Donald Trump is promising to select a "great" Supreme Court nominee to fill the vacancy of retiring Justice Anthony KennedyThe president said Tuesday at a "Salute to Service" dinner in West Virginia that he "hit a home run" with Justice Nei...
Lawyer Website Design For Sole Practitioners - Law Promo
Law Promo understands that running a solo law practice can be a difficult undertaking at any stage, especially if you are just starting up your practice.
The most challenging part of running any solo business can be managing each and every aspect, especially those areas in which you have less experience. Marketing is often one of the weakest areas for small businesses and yet is the most important in ensuring business growth.
A solid internet marketing campaign is crucial, as it can level the playing field between you and larger firms and is by far the most cost effective way to attract more clients.