Sean Cahill, the son of retired Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill, has been appointed by Gov. Tim Walz to fill a judicial vacancy in Hennepin County. Cahill’s father was famously the judge who presided over the criminal trial of Derek Chauvin in Minnesota.
“Sean Cahill brings experience from every corner of the Hennepin County justice system,” Walz said in a Friday statement. “Not only has he been a thoughtful and fair prosecutor, but his extensive experience as a public defender has also given him a balanced perspective that will benefit all who appear before him. He will be great.”
Cahill, who worked for Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty as a senior prosecutor up until his judicial appointment, was one of six candidates who were recommended by the Commission on Judicial Selection to fill three judicial vacancies in Hennepin County.
The Commission on Judicial Selection makes recommendations to the governor on who should fill judicial vacancies. A majority of the commission is appointed by the governor. Ultimately, the governor alone gets to make appointments to fill judicial vacancies.
According to Cahill’s work history, he has worked as a Hennepin County prosecutor dating back to Mike Freeman’s time as Hennepin County Attorney. Prior to that, Cahill spent time working as a Hennepin County public defender.
Cahill’s father, Peter, presided over the 2021 criminal trials of the Minneapolis police officers who were on the scene when George Floyd died. Those officers, Derek Chauvin; Thomas Lane; Tou Thao; and Alex Kueng, were all sentenced to prison by Peter Cahill.
Peter Cahill served as a Hennepin County judge from 2007 to 2024. He was appointed to the post by Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Prior to his judicial service, he was U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s top lieutenant when she led the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
Just weeks ago, Peter Cahill was appointed by Walz to lead the newly-created Governor’s Council on Recording the Truth of Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS.
Operation Metro Surge was a federal immigration enforcement effort in Minnesota that lasted for several months. Meanwhile, Operation PARRIS was a federal investigation into Minnesota refugee fraud. That operation started in January and is ongoing.
Throughout Operation Metro Surge, Walz and other DFLers alleged that federal immigration agents were repeatedly violating the law during their time in Minnesota. Walz referred to the operation as “a campaign of organized brutality against the people of Minnesota.”
Now, Peter Cahill will lead a group appointed by Walz to document the “truth” about what happened when federal immigration agents were in Minnesota.
Sean and Peter Cahill are not the only members of their family to hold public office. Caitlin Cahill, Peter’s daughter, previously served on the Maple Plain City Council and ran twice for the Minnesota House of Representatives as a Democrat.
In 2020, Caitlin ran against Republican State Rep. Jerry Hertaus and lost by approximately 16 points. Two years later, she ran against Republican State Rep. Kristin Robbins and lost by almost 13 points.
According to the governor’s office, Sean Cahill will replace Judge Edward T. Wahl. Notably, Wahl was the judge who presided over Alpha News’ legal victory against then-Minneapolis Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
