ST PAUL, Minn. — Parole for the man serving a life sentence for the 1992 murder of Minneapolis officer Jerry Haaf has been denied.
Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) Commissioner Paul Schnell denied parole for Amwati Pepi McKenzie Monday after a live virtual hearing, where McKenzie's case file and prison record were reviewed by a DOC life sentence review panel.
“I take this element of the commissioner's role very seriously,” Schnell said. “Public safety is the dominant consideration in making this decision, along with the input of the community and the victim’s family, and rehabilitation efforts by the person seeking parole. Mr. McKenzie is not ready for release at this time. He has taken important steps in the direction of bettering himself and becoming someone different than he was the day he entered prison. I am hopeful Mr. McKenzie will work to gain more insight into the impact of the crime he committed and continue with the progress he has made.”
McKenzie, who was 19 when he shot and killed Haaf, began serving his sentence Oct. 23, 1993. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of release after 30 years.
In 2015, Minnesota Legislature made first-degree murder of a police officer a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Since McKenzie was convicted in 1993, it doesn't apply to this case. According to the DOC, McKenzie will have another review of his life sentence in 30 months.
A second gunman, Shannon Bowles, is also serving a life sentence and has a parole hearing scheduled for Jan. 4.
Following Tuesday's decision, Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association Executive Director Brian Peters issued a statement:
“Police officers are satisfied justice continues to be served as former Officer Haaf’s killer will stay in prison, and not be granted leniency. Cold-blooded murderers of public safety officials should never be considered for release.”
Watch more local news:
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities in our YouTube playlist:
