Alexandria murder suspect released on bond

An Alexandria man previously convicted in the 2004 death of his 4-month-old daughter was released from jail on bond Thursday pending another trial.

Michael Ray Hansen, 34, was released from the Douglas County Jail on a $150,000 non-cash bond posted in Douglas County District Court.

“I just want to be with my family. I just want to sit by the lake and have one of my mom’s home-cooked dinners. That’s what I look forward to,” Hansen said as he left the jail, according to Minnesota Public Radio’s Madeleine Baran.

Hansen was convicted in 2006 on three counts of second degree murder, one count of third degree murder and two counts of manslaughter in connection with the death of his daughter, Avryonna (Avry). He was granted a new trial in an order signed by District Court Judge Peter Irvine filed July 13.

Hansen is represented by Bridget Kearns Sabo with the Innocence Project of Minnesota. Sabo made a motion for reduced bail because she felt the family might have difficulty obtaining the funds to pay for Hansen’s release. Douglas County District Court Judge Ann Carrott denied the request at an August 4 hearing.

Carrott set unconditional bail at $250,000 cash. Conditional bail was set at $150,000.

A pretrial and motions hearing is scheduled for September 7 at 1:30 p.m. Trial is set to begin September 26 at 9 a.m. The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.

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