![Human Services Chief to Fight Release of Serial Rapist](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/12/Gavel.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Human Services Chief to Fight Release of Serial Rapist
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper says she'll appeal a
judicial panel's approval of the conditional release of a serial rapist from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program.
Thomas R. Duvall has spent the past 30 years locked up for the violent rapes of teenage girls in the 1970s and 1980s. The Star Tribune reports that a three-judge panel on Monday approved Duvall's provisional discharge, saying his progress in treatment outweighs his diagnosis as a sexual sadist.
But Piper said in a statement Tuesday that she believes Duvall poses an ``exceptional risk'' to public safety and should not be released.
Duvall's case sparked a firestorm four years ago when MSOP staffers recommended his conditional release. Attorney General Lori Swanson and other officials objected, and Duvall withdrew his petition.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![What You Need To Know Before Coming To Pierz Freedom Fest!](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-GettyImages-2157706745.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![How Much Minnesotans Pay For Energy Usage, Compared](http://townsquare.media/site/66/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Yum Or Yuck? Iconic Minnesota Brand Just Released Its Newest Flavor](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-hannes-johnson-via-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Good Directions? The ‘Charlie’s Cafe’ House In Freeport Is Gone](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-Google-Maps-Freeport.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tick Alert: Lone Star Species Poses New Health Risks in Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-Image-Credit-Weston-M-and-Erik-Karits-via-Unsplash-and-CANVA.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Kid’s Like To Fish? This Local Retailer Is Hosting A Kid’s Fishing Day](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-Fleet-Farm-Google-Maps.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Chris Lane Set To ‘Par-Tee’ It Up & Perform At This Year’s 3M Open](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-GettyImages-2151506270.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Motorist Cited After Being Caught Going 106MPH](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-Image-Credit-Canva-Kenny-Eliason-via-Unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Local Bar Looking For ‘Sexy Fat Men’ & Incredibly Dirty Vehicles](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/07/attachment-Image-Credit-Canva-ehimetalor-akhere-unuabona-via-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)