Prof. Frase Quoted in Star Tribune on Amy Senser Case

Professor Richard Frase was quoted in a Star Tribune article about the upcoming sentencing of Amy Senser, the wife of former Vikings star Joe Senser. She was convicted of Criminal Vehicular Homicide for failing to stop and notify police after her car struck and killed a man putting gas in his car on an I-94 exit ramp. Frase explained that, under the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines, the judge might have the legal authority to depart downward as to the length of the Guidelines recommended prison term (41-57 months) and/or as to whether that term is executed or suspended; in case of suspension, the judge would then have the discretion to impose up to one year in jail as a condition of probation. Frase noted that in a high-profile case such as this, whatever the judge decides will become known to many people, which might lead the judge to stay within the recommended Guidelines range and not depart.