The State House and Senate remain at odds on how sentencing should be handled for those convicted of second-degree murder.
The State Supreme Court ruled in March that mandatory life in prison without parole was unconstitutional, and today marks the deadline that state legislators to come up with a solution. Should an idea not be approved by the end of the day, inmates will be able to petition for release.
The senate bill that was passed in June called for a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 35 years for anyone convicted of second-degree murder. The version passed by the State House yesterday was different as it would allow anyone sentenced to life in prison would be eligible for parole after 30 years in prison, but does not put a mandatory minimum sentence.
At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman joined other local lawmakers in urging House Democrats to make a move on the senate’s version. You can hear his comments by clicking here.
