Hennepin County Attorney’s Office Husayn Braveheart Sentencing Memo

This afternoon, a sentencing hearing is scheduled to be held in Hennepin County District Court for the case of State of Minnesota vs Husayn Braveheart. A detailed memorandum and supporting material explaining the state's position are linked below. The state’s goal in this case, as in every case, is to do what is most effective to prevent another family from suffering such a tragic, senseless, and devastating loss.

Braveheart pled guilty in August for his role in aiding and abetting the murder of Steven Markey in 2019. The terms of the guilty plea, based on Braveheart’s particular amenability to probation, his lesser role in the incident as compared to his co-defendant, and the progress he has made in treatment during nearly 4½ years of incarceration since the murder occurred, are below. A violation of any condition during the next five years could result in Braveheart serving the entire term of the stayed prison sentence.

A prison sentence of 261 months to be imposed but with execution stayed for five years.
Serve 365 days in the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility, with furloughs for work programming and school as approved by his probation officer and case manager.
Supervision by the Hennepin County Probation Department’s Transition Age Youth (TAY) unit, which includes intensive supervision designed for young adults as they transition into adulthood.
Eventual transition to a structured living arrangement coordinated by the TAY probation officer, which will include supervised independent living skills training.
Participate in individual therapy with a culturally experienced trauma informed therapist.
Participation in a culturally specific mentorship program.
Participation in vocational /education programming.
No use of drugs or alcohol, including random testing, a SUDS assessment if recommended by probation and following any and all recommendations.
No contact order with the victim’s family.
Pay restitution.
Remain law abiding.

Husayn Braveheart Sentencing Memorandum (PDF)

Vera Institute: Prison Paradox Evidence Brief (PDF)

Annual Review: Impact of Incarceration on Recidivism (PDF)

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