In 2023, my husband was sentenced to life in prison for 2nd-degree murder. The first trial in 2016 ended in a hung jury, yet my husband, who was defending his family and himself from an attacker, fell prey to a second trial. The criminal justice system's mandate must be to establish justice, but injustices occur - such as handing life sentences in cases of 2nd-degree murder where circumstances have not been appropriately evaluated.

American legal scholars have been debating the problem of over-incarceration and the skewness of sentencing laws. Jennifer L. Eberhardt of Stanford University, an expert in racial implications in America's criminal justice system, found in a 2014 report, that Americans, particularly minority groups, face harsher punishments than their crimes warrant.

This petition calls for a reform of the law, specifically that which sets life sentences for 2nd-degree murder, suggesting a revised term of 15-25 years instead. Our goal is to advocate for justice that is proportionate to the crime committed while considering the context in which the crime was committed.

We urge you to join us in this plea to lawmakers to revisit such harsh sentencing laws. By doing this, we help ensure that our criminal justice system is indeed just and that sentences match the gravity of crimes committed. Please sign the petition and help us transform the justice system.