Parole denied for man convicted in ambush murder of Minneapolis police officer Jerry Haaf

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A one-time gang member convicted within the killing of a Minneapolis police officer 30 years in the past has been denied parole.

Pepi Mckenzie conspired within the ambush killing of Jerry Haaf in 1992.

Haaf was gunned down in an ambush assault at a preferred Lake Avenue pizzeria, a capturing that rocked town.

4 Vice Lord gang members had been convicted for his or her roles within the lethal capturing. On the time, so-called life sentences in Minnesota known as for the chance for an offender to earn a launch after serving 30 years — which brings us to Tuesday’s listening to. It’s price noting, Minnesota legal guidelines modified shortly after the Haaf slaying. Now defendants convicted of first-degree homicide of a police officer should serve a compulsory life sentence.

Mckenzie was simply 19 years previous on the time of the capturing. Household and supporters describe Mckenzie as rehabilitated, remorseful, and worthy of launch from the jail in Lino Lakes the place he’s at the moment housed. The now-49-year-old had a listening to this afternoon with Division of Corrections officers. Unsurprisingly, family members of Haaf and plenty of, many within the regulation enforcement group imagine he ought to stay behind bars.

That features former Hennepin County Sheriff Wealthy Stanek – who was a Minneapolis police detective who investigated Haaf’s homicide.

“He has served his minimal sentence that was given to him by the state of Minnesota, that means he served 30 years,” stated Stanek. “As you realize, on the time, it was 30 years to life for the homicide of a police officer. He has barely served the minimal period of time and we’re already contemplating releasing him from jail. No, I do not assume so.”

“You take a look at the distinction of this younger man of 19 when he went via 30 years of a rehabilitative course of,” stated Pepi McKenzie’s protection legal professional Arthur Martinez. “And when you take a look at a gold customary, what to do, you’ll be able to take a look at Mckenzie and say he did every little thing you are purported to do.”

The choice on parole got here right down to the DOC Commissioner Paul Schnell. He known as the Haaf household Tuesday afternoon earlier than releasing the ruling publicly.

Mckenzie will obtain one other overview of his sentence in 30 months — which might be in Might 2025.

“I take this aspect of the commissioner’s function very significantly,” Schnell wrote in an announcement. “Public security is the dominant consideration in making this resolution, together with the enter of the group and the sufferer’s household, and rehabilitation efforts by the individual in search of parole. Mr. Mckenzie will not be prepared for launch presently. He has taken essential steps within the route of bettering himself and turning into somebody completely different than he was the day he entered jail. I’m hopeful Mr. McKenzie will work to achieve extra perception into the impression of the crime he dedicated and proceed with the progress he has made.”

The Division of Corrections factors out, if ever launched, Mckenzie must serve at the very least a further 10 months for a 1996 conviction on possession of a weapon in jail.

In an announcement, Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Affiliation Government Director Brian Peters wrote: “Cops are happy justice continues to be served as former Officer Haaf’s killer will keep in jail, and never be granted leniency. Chilly-blooded murderers of public security officers ought to by no means be thought of for launch.”