In the last few weeks, the PA Senate has acted twice to address the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling on Second-Degree Felony Murder in the Commonwealth v. Lee case.
The court gave the General Assembly 120 days, with a deadline of July 24, to set new guidelines that ensure fairness, accountability, and public safety. Senate leaders have worked with victim advocates, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General to create new guidelines that would ensure the punishments fit the terrible nature of these crimes.
As a result, Senate Bill 1400, a bipartisan piece of legislation, passed the Senate by a vote of 30-20 in late June and has the support of Attorney General Dave Sunday, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association.
In return, the PA House passed House Bill 1042 on a party line vote of 102-100, which does not establish a set minimum sentence for individuals convicted of second-degree murder.
Unless the General Assembly acts, these inmates can now begin to challenge their sentences, potentially allowing for up to 1,200 felons to walk-free. (Read more here)