Abolitionist Law Center

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied a 120-day stay of a ruling that declared mandatory life sentences for second-degree murder unconstitutional. The decision, stemming from Derek Lee's case where he was sentenced to life without parole after an accomplice shot a victim during an armed robbery, affects approximately 1,100 inmates serving similar sentences. The legislature failed to agree on new sentencing guidelines, and the court's decision allows affected individuals to challenge their sentences.