Argall: House Action Needed to Support Victims Over Murderers

HARRISBURG - Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) today called on the state House of Representatives to pass legislation updating Pennsylvania's sentencing laws for second-degree murder. Without legislative action, Pennsylvania's existing sentencing structure for second-degree murder would be invalidated, creating uncertainty for victims, prosecutors and the courts. More than 1,150 individuals currently serving sentences for second-degree murder could be affected.

"The Senate took bipartisan action in June to ensure those who commit these serious, sometimes horrific crimes are not let off the hook by lenient judges," Argall said. "Simply doing nothing is an insult to the families whose lives were forever changed by the actions of these individuals."

Under Pennsylvania law, second-degree murder, often called felony murder, applies when someone dies during the commission of certain serious crimes - including rape, arson, robbery, burglary or kidnapping - even if the defendant did not directly cause the death.

In March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in Commonwealth v. Lee that Pennsylvania's automatic life-without-parole sentence for second-degree murder was unconstitutional because judges were not allowed to consider a defendant's level of involvement in the crime. The court gave the General Assembly 120 days to update the law before its ruling takes effect on July 24.

Senate Bill 1400 creates a new sentencing framework that complies with the court's ruling while ensuring those involved in serious crimes remain accountable. The bill allows judges to consider an individual's role in the crime when determining a sentence, while maintaining strong penalties for offenders and protections for victims.

The bill passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 30-20, with Argall's support, and now awaits action in the House Judiciary Committee.