Megan Cater and Briana Martinson, initially sentenced for aiding and abetting a murder, now walk free due to Minnesota’s new murder law. This reform ensures fair sentencing for minor participants, offering them a second chance at life.
In a landmark decision, Megan Cater and Briana Martinson, two women who were serving 13.5 years for their involvement in a murder case, walked free. Their release marks the first instances in Minnesota where individuals have had their sentences reduced and resentenced under the new murder legislation. This transformation in the legal landscape of Minnesota redefines the crime of complicity in serious murder cases, ensuring that only those directly involved in the murder can be charged with the crime.
A Fateful Night and Its Consequences
Nearly seven years ago, Corey Elder’s life was tragically cut short in a robbery-turned-murder in Bloomington. Megan Cater and Briana Martinson, who had minor roles in the crime, were charged with aiding and abetting the murder. Although neither woman pulled the trigger, their involvement in the planning of the robbery led to their conviction under the state’s previous murder doctrine.