Guilty Plea in 2009 Attempted Murder in Burnsville

A Hastings man pleaded guilty to second degree attempted murder in a knife assault that occurred in a Burnsville townhome on Apr. 7, 1999.

Taylor James Pass, 21 was charged with attempted murder and felony assault in the case. As part of the plea agreement with prosecutors, he was sentenced on Aug. 16 to 153 months in prison. The sentence was stayed and Pass will be placed on probation for up to 20 years. Also as part of the agreement, Pass must serve 240 days in jail, with credit given for time served. 


According to the news release from the Dakota County Attorney's Office, Pass allegedly stabbed Tina SanRoman, 35, and another victim in a townhome garage. SanRoman later died of her injuries and the victim, identified as O.A.R. suffered knife wounds to his throat and back.

Pass was charged with two counts of attempted murder of Tina SanRoman, 35, and multiple counts of attempted murder and felony assault of O.A.R. A Dakota County jury found him not guilty of the charges related to SanRoman, but did not come to a verdict in the charges related to O.A.R. 

A second trial was scheduled for the assault and attempted murder charges in connection to O.A.R. Before the trial began, Judge Patrice Sutherland ruled that the case would have to be presented with evidence from the murder that Pass was acquitted. Allowing that evidence would result in a violation of a fair trial for Pass. The judge then dismissed prosecution on the remaining charges.

This year the Minnesota Supreme Court reversed Judge Sutherland's ruling on July 26. The case was then allowed to go back to trial.

Said Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom, "The guilty plea and sentence has brought to an end this very tragic and difficult case for all concerned.”