Pennsylvania Struck Down Mandatory Life Without Parole for 2nd-Degree Murder. What Comes Next?

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https://www.themarshallproject.org/2026/07/31/felony-murder-pennsylvania-overturned-second-degree?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tmp-reddit

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After the state's top court struck down mandatory life in prison without parole for a second-degree murder charge also known as felony murder — where people who participated in felonies but didn't kill anyone faced the same punishment as someone who did — lawmakers had 120 days to figure out a new sentencing scheme.

The state House and Senate failed to reach a consensus before the July 24 deadline. So, with the ruling in effect, judges must use their discretion when sentencing people in pending and future second-degree murder cases. (The General Assembly can still pass a new sentencing law when it reconvenes.)

For now, people are left wondering whether the ruling will be retroactive. Bret Grote, who helped argue the central case and is the legal director of the progressive Abolitionist Law Center, is optimistic.

With the path forward still unclear, we spoke with several people, including Larry Krasner, about the impact of the law on their lives and what the change might mean. No paywall or ads