Myon Burrell, man freed from life in prison, sentenced for gun and drug possession

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Myon Burrell, a man freed from a life-in-prison sentence by a pardons board, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison after he was found guilty of illegal gun possession following an arrest in Robbinsdale in 2023.

The judge also sentenced Burrell to 19 months for fifth-degree drug possession. 

Sentencing 

What we know: Burrell's defense team brought forward multiple witnesses in an effort to allow him to remain free while he appealed the illegal gun possession conviction.

Despite emotional testimony from a former inmate, Burrell's father and community activists, the judge denied the request.

Burrell was then placed in handcuffs and taken to prison.

2023 Robbinsdale arrest 

Background: Burrell was arrested by Robbinsdale police in August 2023 after an officer pulled him over for speeding and erratic driving.

That officer then reported seeing that "smoke appeared to billow out of the vehicle when the window was rolled down" and that Burrell "began to actively resist" when the officer tried to detain him, according to the criminal complaint.

READ MORE: Myon Burrell, man who was freed from life sentence, arrested for possession of gun

A search of the vehicle recovered drugs and a gun inside, including pills that tested positive for MDMA, marijuana and a Glock 17 handgun with an extended magazine. 

Burrell is ineligible to possess guns because of his previous convictions. 

2024 drug arrest  

Background: Burrell was then arrested in May 2024 and charged with drug possession.

The criminal complaint states Burrell refused to roll down his window when officers approached, and took "a long period of time" to open the door. A dark tint on the windows of the Tahoe also prevented officers from seeing inside. 

Court documents say officers then found a pill in the driver's side door handle pocket, which tested positive for methamphetamine over .25 grams. They also found "chunks" of a controlled substance on the floor of the car on the passenger side. 

During a search of Burrell's home, officers found a suitcase with $60,000 in cash and a business card with Burrell's name.

Prison pardon

The backstory: The Robbinsdale arrest came less than two years after his life sentence for the 2002 death of 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards was commuted. Edwards was killed in her home doing homework when she was hit by a stray bullet. Minneapolis police ultimately concluded Burrell had fired the bullet while taking a shot at a rival gang member near the home.

However, Burrell has maintained his innocence in the case. Burrell was only 17 years old when Edwards was killed.

Ultimately, his commutation was approved by Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison in 2020. While not absolving Burrell of the crime, Walz and Ellison both decided a life sentence was too stiff for a teen offender.

READ MORE: Myon Burrell released from prison, Board of Pardons approves 20-year commutation