Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Briggs praises state Supreme Court sentencing decision

Briggs praises state Supreme Court sentencing decision

Rep. Tim Briggs    March 26, 2026 | 2:54 PM

HARRISBURG, MARCH 26 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement in response to the Commonwealth v. Lee ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that a life sentence without parole for a second-degree murder conviction is unconstitutional:

“I am thankful for the court’s decision today.

“Second-degree murder, also known as felony murder because the murder occurs during the commission of another felony, has long raised serious constitutional and moral concerns. We have always believed that the felony murder rule was unjust and unconstitutional, and today’s decision verified our beliefs. I have been introducing legislation the past few sessions to do away with the rule and provide people who never killed anyone with a meaningful opportunity to be considered for release. This session, I have introduced H.B. 443, which would reform sentencing for second-degree murder convictions to ensure fairness and constitutionality in our justice system. To be clear, we will be deliberative and determined to rectify these unconstitutional sentences while also making sure our communities remain safe.

“Since the felony murder rule has been deemed unconstitutional by the court, we in the legislature must act, and the court has given us 120 days to consider appropriate remedial measures to halt the constitutional violations being experienced by the approximately 1,100 people serving life sentences under this rule. I am especially grateful that the court has made it clear that ‘offenders convicted of second-degree murder must receive a meaningful consideration of release, based upon their individual culpability and the circumstances surrounding their crime.’

“Of the 1,100 people serving these unconstitutional sentences, approximately 700 have served more than 20 years of their sentence, with 300 of these individuals over the age of 60. Not only are they serving unconstitutional sentences, but they are also the most expensive inmates in our system.

“Justice demands we act to right the wrongs of our past, and the House Judiciary Committee will work to move legislation as quickly as possible to stop these constitutional violations.”

Briggs represents the 149th Legislative District, which includes Bridgeport, West Conshohocken, Upper Merion and parts of Lower Merion in Montgomery County.