Authorities Oppose Parole For Man Who Killed Cop

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Authorities in Minnesota are opposing parole for a man convicted of killing a Robbinsdale police officer in 1985.

A parole hearing is set for Monday for 70-year-old Ronald Schneider. He was convicted of gunning down Officer John Scanlon while Scanlon sat in his squad car after responding to a robbery.

Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, Robbinsdale Police Chief Seven Smith and others wrote letters to the Department of Corrections opposing Schneider's parole. Stanek says releasing someone who killed an officer sends a "chilling message."

Currently, killing an officer carries a sentence of life in prison without parole. But Schneider was sentenced under older laws that made him eligible for parole after 17 years.

Corrections spokesman John Schadl says authorities must work under the law in effect at the time.

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