PHILADELPHIA (April 23, 2026) — Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner joined with community and religious leaders Thursday to announce his support for legislation aimed at revising sentencing for second-degree murder convictions following the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling that mandatory life sentences for felony murder is unconstitutional.
The Court’s ruling by on March 26, 2026, gave the PA General Assembly 120 days to act and provide a remedy for more than 1,100 people serving this unconstitutional sentence, including roughly 500 from Philadelphia. House Bill 443 would revise sentencing for second-degree murder (felony murder) by:
- Eliminating the current requirement of mandatory life imprisonment without parole
- Establishing structured maximum sentences and creating tiered sentencing ranges for younger defendants to reflect age at the time of the offense
- And introducing parole eligibility after a defined minimum term, allowing individuals to be considered for release by the PA Parole Board rather than being categorically excluded
Please see more on this legislation here.
“The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling gives the Legislature an opportunity to provide a remedy for those 1,100 Pennsylvanians currently serving an unconstitutional sentence. House Bill 443 would provide that remedy by giving the Parole Board the authority to determine whether individuals who have served at least 25 years deserve a second chance,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner. “People who have been incarcerated for decades following offenses that were committed while they were young are especially deserving of a second look, and HB 443 would give them that opportunity for fairness.”
“I grew up facing much adversity in my adolescent and early adult years,” said Bishop Michelle Simmons, founder and CEO of Why Not Prosper, Inc. “I faced abuse, legal problems, and substance use, and was later incarcerated. My story is not unique, but it is an important one to share because it shows that people can experience growth and change. House Bill 443 offers a way to give hundreds of incarcerated individuals that opportunity.”
“The PA Supreme Court ruling brought a measure of hope and redemption to over 1,100 people serving death by incarceration in Pennsylvania,” said Robert Saleem Holbrook, executive director of the Abolitionist Law Center and co-author of HB 433. “But lawmakers in Harrisburg must act to ensure that the door of opportunity is not unjustly closed on these individuals. The time to act to ensure Pennsylvanians’ constitutional rights is now.”
“As someone who has spent decades working with young people in the carceral system, I see firsthand their ability to transform into mentors, teachers and leaders,” said Reverend Dr. Damone Jones. “The Legislature still has 92 days left to provide a fair and just remedy and we hope that they will take advantage by passing HB 443.”
DA Krasner added: “This bill helps move our justice system toward one that prioritizes safety, fairness, and freedom, rather than outcomes that perpetuate mass incarceration. Allowing individuals to return home after serving substantial time, when appropriate, reduces the high cost of incarceration and ultimately benefits taxpayers, while still achieving public safety.”
