Pennsylvania Supreme Court Appeal Could Open Door to Resentencing More Than 1,100 Serving Life without Parole
October 01, 2026
Vanguard News Group: “A Sept. 29 decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to allow an appeal in Commonwealth v. Jerome Coffey could open the door to overturning more than 1,100 life-without-parole sentences after the court previously found mandatory life without parole for second-degree murder unconstitutional, according to a press release from the Abolitionist Law Center.
In March 2026, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down mandatory life without parole in the felony murder case of Commonwealth v. Derek Lee, citing Article I, Section 13 of the state Constitution because it prohibits “cruel punishments.” As the Pennsylvania Capital-Star notes, felony murder — also known as second-degree murder — is a charge brought when the victim dies while another felony is being committed, even if the perpetrator never intended to kill….
Although the state House and Senate both individually passed bills that would eliminate life without parole as a punishment for felony murder, the two chambers were unable to agree, ultimately leading to no decision being made. However, by granting a petition for allowance of appeal in the Coffey case, the court has demonstrated the possibility that retroactivity will be addressed and that those actively serving life without parole may be resentenced.
Jerome Coffey, represented by the Abolitionist Law Center, was convicted of second-degree murder in 1994. He is currently serving a life-without-parole sentence, also referred to as death by incarceration.”