Gov. Mark Dayton's office responded viscerally to criticism from Rep. Kurt Zellers about the recommended release of a violent sex offender, hours after Zellers called it wrongheaded and dangerous.
"He urges Rep. Zellers to finally do what he neglected to do as Speaker: pitch in and help find a better solution to this extremely difficult problem," Deputy Chief of Staff Bob Hume said in a statement. Zellers, R-Maple Grove, is a gubernatorial candidate and former House Speaker.
The vivid public rebuke came after Zellers publicly bashed the potential release of Thomas Duvall, 58, and delivered a letter to Attorney General Lori Swanson in support of her request to block his release.
Duvall, who was convicted three times of sexually assaulting teenage girls, and has attacked at least 60 women.
An internal panel at the state Department of Human Services has recommended a supervised discharge for Duvall. DHS Commissioner Lucinda Jesson did not oppose that recommendation, but asked for an independent examination of Duvall before the panel's hearing.
Gov. Mark Dayton backed Jesson on both fronts but said earlier this week that reforms were necessary. A panel of three state judges will hear arguments today on whether to hold an in-depth hearing similar to a trial on Duvall's proposed provisional release from the 18-year-old program. If released, Duvall would be only the second person discharged from the program.
In his statement, Zellers referenced a Star Tribune report regarding one of Duvall's victims, who said she was told by a prosecutor that Duvall would be released and it was a "done deal."
"I am concerned by comments made publicly that Duvall's release is a 'done deal' and is imminent despite these concerns." Zellers' letter said. "I hope the panel will hear testimony from the victims and the Attorney General, and halt the provisional release of Duvall."
