Overview
- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which ruled Thursday, said the automatic penalty violates the state constitution’s ban on cruel punishment because it does not weigh a person’s intent or role.
- The court ordered a new sentencing hearing for Derek Lee and put the decision on hold for 120 days, while a footnote left whether the change applies retroactively unresolved.
- The decision targets Pennsylvania’s felony-murder rule, which treated anyone involved in a fatal felony the same as the killer, and trial judges will now have to assess each defendant’s culpability when sentencing.
- Gov. Josh Shapiro praised the ruling as overdue reform, Allegheny County prosecutors said they will follow the order, and public defenders prepared post-conviction filings to test retroactive relief.
- Lawmakers began work on a legislative fix and a debate over relief for more than 1,100 people serving such terms, with House Judiciary Chair Tim Briggs saying he wants retroactive review.