Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that judges cannot automatically impose life-without-parole sentences for second-degree murder convictions.
But state lawmakers left Harrisburg this month without approving a new sentencing structure.
The legislature’s failure makes it exceedingly likely that judges across Pennsylvania will soon have to sentence people convicted of second-degree murder without a legislatively enacted sentencing range to guide them. It also sets the stage for what is expected to be years of litigation over the roughly 1,100 people already serving mandatory life-without-parole sentences.
The political stalemate leaves thousands of people — incarcerated Pennsylvanians, victims’ families, and attorneys — waiting to learn what happens next.
Keep reading: inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-legislature-second-degree-murder-sentencing-20260714.html
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In March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that judges cannot automatically impose life-without-parole sentences for second-degree murder convictions.
But state lawmakers left Harrisburg this month without approving a new sentencing structure.
The legislature’s failure makes it exceedingly likely that judges across Pennsylvania will soon have to sentence people convicted of second-degree murder without a legislatively enacted sentencing range to guide them. It also sets the stage for what is expected to be years of litigation over the roughly 1,100 people already serving mandatory life-without-parole sentences.
The political stalemate leaves thousands of people — incarcerated Pennsylvanians, victims’ families, and attorneys — waiting to learn what happens next.
Keep reading: inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-legislature-second-degree-murder-sentencing-20260714.html
If you value this work, please consider subscribing to the Philadelphia Inquirer ►► inquirer.com/youtube
More from Philadelphia Inquirer Video:
Watch all of our videos here: inquirer.com/video
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philadelphia...
Instagram: instagram.com/phillyinquirer
