Heffley Votes to Keep Murderers Behind Bars

July 24, 2026

HARRISBURG - Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) issued the following statement after his vote against House Bill 1042, a bill that would change the punishment for second-degree murder in Pennsylvania:

"Because of a lack of sensible action by the House Democrat majority, there is a chance convicted killers could soon walk free.

"Earlier this year, the liberal activist judges on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled the long-standing statute of a mandatory life sentence for second-degree murder, commonly known as felony murder, is unconstitutional. The court gave the General Assembly 120 days to address sentencing.

"The deadline for action is Friday. House Democrats waited until day 119 and passed a bill that put politics ahead of public safety. They abandoned a bipartisan bill, which was passed by the Senate and one I could have supported, which would have established a 35-year minimum sentence for second-degree murder. Instead, they changed language in the bill that allows those convicted of second-degree murder to be let out of prison for certain medical conditions and at a judge's discretion.

"We must reiterate that people convicted of, or those who have pleaded guilty to, second degree murder have committed heinous crimes. These people are involved with murder! I do not support giving these people a get-out-of-jail-free card. They must be held accountable for their crimes.

"Families who have lost loved ones at the hands of these individuals deserve a justice system that prioritizes victims, protects our communities and holds violent offenders accountable. Instead, we see another example of what happens when progressive judges and radical lawmakers put their own agenda ahead of public safety.

"If the House Democrats would have agreed to the Senate bill, the bill would have been placed on the governor's desk and murderers would have been held accountable for their crimes. Now, the bill goes back to the Senate, and this process takes even longer, creating even more uncertainty as to what will happen next."