PA Supreme Court rejects extension for felony murder ruling
August 03, 2026
Metro Philadelphia: “The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s finding that mandatory life sentences for those convicted of second-degree murder are unconstitutional is now in full effect, after the justices refused a request to pause the ruling.
However, because the decision has yet to be applied retroactively, it will likely be at least a year before individuals incarcerated for the crime can petition to have their punishment reconsidered, according to the Abolitionist Law Center.
ALC is among the groups representing Derek Lee, whose case reached the high court. He was convicted of second-degree murder in connection with a deadly 2014 robbery in Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania’s felony murder law, which requires judges to sentence offenders to life behind bars without the possibility of parole, violates the state Constitution’s prohibition on “cruel punishments,” the court determined in a landmark ruling March 26.
Someone is charged with second-degree or felony murder when they are accused of participating in a serious felony that results in a person being killed, even if they did not pull the trigger. Unlike first-degree murder, prosecutors do not need to prove an intent to kill.”