Lifers Ask State Supreme Court To Reconsider Cases

(AP) – Four people serving mandatory life sentences for second-degree murder in Pennsylvania are asking the state Supreme Court to reconsider their cases. They filed a King’s Bench petition on Thursday, which allows the court to bypass lower courts for urgent matters. In March, the court ruled that mandatory life sentences without parole are cruel if the person’s role in the murder isn’t considered. However, the ruling wasn’t made retroactive, leaving lawmakers to determine how to handle people currently serving such a sentence. However, the divided legislature adjourned in July without legislation that addressed the ruling. The petitioners want the court to make the ruling retroactive, allowing for resentencing.