Support Senate Bill #293 Formerly Known As Senate Bill #1138
The Issue
- On March 4th 2016, Senator Daylin Leach originally introduced Senate Bill #1138 which is now known as Senate Bill #293. Senator Leach introduced this bill as a means to finally abolish the extremely cruel and unusual second degree "Felony Murder Law" here in Pennsylvania. The second degree "Felony Murder Law" is defined as a criminal homicide that resulted while a defendant was engaged as a principle or an accomplice in the perpetration of a felony. Under the Felony Murder Law a defendant could be found guilty,and sentenced to a mandatory sentence of "LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE" even based on a clear showing that the defendant "NEVER INTENDED TO KILL" and/or "HAD ANY KNOWLEDGE THAT THE PERSON HE OR SHE WAS WITH INTENDED TO KILL DURING THE COMMISSION OF A FELONY".
- Take for example the case of then 18 year old Tyreem Rivers, court records and Commonwealth witness testimony suggest that on June 3,1996, this defendant snatched a elderly woman's purse. Two weeks after this alleged crime took place,the victim subsequently slipped into a coma and later died from pneumonia while being hospitalized(from the fall she sustained) after the above mentioned robbery took place. All court testimony against Tyreem also apparently proved that "he never physically assaulted the victim", and/or "never used any weapons to harm the victim during the robbery". (See Notes Of Testimony 9/16/97 pages #33-34). During closing arguments, Defense Attorney Gerald A. Stein put emphasis on these "factual points", and further argued that the "Defendant never intended to kill the victim but rather only intended to snatch a purse. (See Notes Of Testimony 9/16/97 pages #32-33)
- District Attorney William Fisher "counter argued" that the only way the defendant Rivers wasn't capable of being found guilty (and sentenced to life in prison) "is if Pennsylvania didn't have the felony murder law which requires a automatic life sentence under second degree". In the District Attorney's owns words,William Fisher stated: "Judge,the only way that this does not warrant a conviction of second degree murder is "FOR US TO CHANGE THE STATUE",or tho change the facts in this case". (See Notes 9/16/97 pgs 36-37). District Attorney Fisher further stated: "Judge, I'm not unsympathetic that this young man (Tyreem Rivers) is ONLY 18 YEARS OLD", and that he seems to have a nice family". "I'm not unsympathetic to that,but on the other hand,Judge I cannot see this any other way or I suggest that this can "ONLY BE SEEN ONE WAY, WHAT'S THE LAW,AND DO THE FACTS IN THE CASE FIT INTO THE LAW". (See Notes 9/16/97 pg 41)
- Just before reaching a guilty verdict against Tyreem Judge Savitt went on record to acknowledge District Attorney Fisher's point: "Well you've tried many homicide cases and you've tried several in front of me and I've tried a myraid of them "AND I'VE SEEN PEOPLE WHO ARE COLD BLOODED KILLER'S GET LIFE IN IMPRISONMENT AND IN MANY INSTANCES DESERVE INDIVIUALLY ". "IT APPEARS THAT THIS DEFENDANT DID WHAT YOU SAID. THERE'S NO ARGUMENT TO THE FACTS". (See Notes 9/16/97 page 41). The Honorable Judge Davis N. Savitt further went on to acknowledge, "BUT HE'S A THIEF RATHER THAN A KILLER". (See Notes 9/16/97 page 41). After considering all the above mentioned testimony, on the day of September 16th 1997, Judge Savitt found Tyreem guilty of Second Degree "Felony Murder" and sentenced him to "Life Without The Possibility Of Parole" even after having judicially considered him "A Thief Rather Than A Killer".
- If Judge Savitt considered Tyreem a mere "thief rather than a killer" why would he severely sentence him to life without the possibility of parole? Why not afford Tyreem at least one fair opportunity to "RE-ENTER BACK INTO SOCIETY"? just as the system here in Pennsylvania continues to afford "more dangerous criminals" like rapist,child molestors,arsonist,attempted murderer's and even some cold hearted killers a second chance? Assistant District Attorney William Fisher answered this ("WHY QUESTION") during the closing arguments of Tyreem's September 1997 trial proceeding when he stated before the court: "Judge the only way that this does not warrant a conviction of Second Degree is " "FOR US TO CHANGE THE LAW". (See Notes 9/16/97 pgs 36-37).
- Twenty years after ADA Fisher made the above mentioned statement,State Senator Daylin Leach of the 17th District proposed and introduced to law makers "SENATE BILL #1138" which now calls for a change in the Second Degree felony murder law. Senator Leach believes that one of the foundational principles of justice is that people should be punished for crimes they commit in a way commensurated with crimes,and that the "felony murder statue violates that principle, in that it imprisons for life people who did not kill or intend to kill anyone", Whereas, such an unjustified punishment undermines the effectiveness of our justice system and the public's faith in it.
- THUS,WE THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OR WE THE TAX PAYING CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND /OR SUPPORTERS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, HEREBY SIGN THIS ONLINE PETETION IN SUPPORT OF SENATOR DAYLIN LEACH'S SENATE BILL #293 FORMERLY KNOWN AS SENATE BILL #1138 AND OR CALL FOR LAW MAKERS TO NOW CHANGE AND /OR ABOLISH THE SECOND DEGREE FELONY MURDER LAW HERE IN PENNSYLVANIA WHICH CONTINUES TO UNREASONABLY PUNISH SO MANY HUMAN BEINGS (THAT HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME) BY SENTENCING THEM TO LIFE WITHOUT THE POSSIBILTY OF PAROLE FOR CRIMES THAT DON'T NECESSARILY CALL FOR SUCH AN EXTREME FORM OF JUDICIAL PUNISHMENT. PLEASE SIGN TODAY AND FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT SENATOR DAYLIN LEACH @ 610-768 4200 or 717-787-5544
- PENNSYLVANIA IS THE ONLY STATE THAT GIVES LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR FIRST & SECOND DEGREE MURDER!!! IS IT FAIR FOR BOTH CHARGES TO CARRY THE SAME TIME? NO IT ISN'T FAIR IF YOU PLEAD GUILTY OR ARE FOUND GUILTY TO A LESSER CHARGE BUT SENTENCED TO THE SAME TIME THAT'S WRONG & THIS LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED
- IN CLOSING I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES IN LIFE, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE, SOMETIMES GOOD PEOPLE MAKE BAD CHOICES IT DOES'T MEAN THEY ARE BAD IT MEANS THEIR HUMAN!!! THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY A PERSON IS THE SAME TODAY AS THEY WERE 20,30 OR 40 YEARS AGO (PEOPLE CHANGE) TO SENTENCE ANYONE TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE IS BASICALLY SAYING THAT HE OR SHE IS INCAPABLE OF CHANGE HOWEVER NO ONE CAN DETERMINE THAT BUT GOD!!! PICTURE YOURSELF IN THE SHOES OF SOMEONE SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE AND YOU NOT HAVING THE CHANCE OR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THAT YOU'VE CHANGED AND ARE NOW A BETTER PERSON HOW WOULD YOU FEEL? EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE.
Glenda SmithPetition Starter
Petition Closed
This petition had 223 supporters
The Issue
- On March 4th 2016, Senator Daylin Leach originally introduced Senate Bill #1138 which is now known as Senate Bill #293. Senator Leach introduced this bill as a means to finally abolish the extremely cruel and unusual second degree "Felony Murder Law" here in Pennsylvania. The second degree "Felony Murder Law" is defined as a criminal homicide that resulted while a defendant was engaged as a principle or an accomplice in the perpetration of a felony. Under the Felony Murder Law a defendant could be found guilty,and sentenced to a mandatory sentence of "LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE" even based on a clear showing that the defendant "NEVER INTENDED TO KILL" and/or "HAD ANY KNOWLEDGE THAT THE PERSON HE OR SHE WAS WITH INTENDED TO KILL DURING THE COMMISSION OF A FELONY".
- Take for example the case of then 18 year old Tyreem Rivers, court records and Commonwealth witness testimony suggest that on June 3,1996, this defendant snatched a elderly woman's purse. Two weeks after this alleged crime took place,the victim subsequently slipped into a coma and later died from pneumonia while being hospitalized(from the fall she sustained) after the above mentioned robbery took place. All court testimony against Tyreem also apparently proved that "he never physically assaulted the victim", and/or "never used any weapons to harm the victim during the robbery". (See Notes Of Testimony 9/16/97 pages #33-34). During closing arguments, Defense Attorney Gerald A. Stein put emphasis on these "factual points", and further argued that the "Defendant never intended to kill the victim but rather only intended to snatch a purse. (See Notes Of Testimony 9/16/97 pages #32-33)
- District Attorney William Fisher "counter argued" that the only way the defendant Rivers wasn't capable of being found guilty (and sentenced to life in prison) "is if Pennsylvania didn't have the felony murder law which requires a automatic life sentence under second degree". In the District Attorney's owns words,William Fisher stated: "Judge,the only way that this does not warrant a conviction of second degree murder is "FOR US TO CHANGE THE STATUE",or tho change the facts in this case". (See Notes 9/16/97 pgs 36-37). District Attorney Fisher further stated: "Judge, I'm not unsympathetic that this young man (Tyreem Rivers) is ONLY 18 YEARS OLD", and that he seems to have a nice family". "I'm not unsympathetic to that,but on the other hand,Judge I cannot see this any other way or I suggest that this can "ONLY BE SEEN ONE WAY, WHAT'S THE LAW,AND DO THE FACTS IN THE CASE FIT INTO THE LAW". (See Notes 9/16/97 pg 41)
- Just before reaching a guilty verdict against Tyreem Judge Savitt went on record to acknowledge District Attorney Fisher's point: "Well you've tried many homicide cases and you've tried several in front of me and I've tried a myraid of them "AND I'VE SEEN PEOPLE WHO ARE COLD BLOODED KILLER'S GET LIFE IN IMPRISONMENT AND IN MANY INSTANCES DESERVE INDIVIUALLY ". "IT APPEARS THAT THIS DEFENDANT DID WHAT YOU SAID. THERE'S NO ARGUMENT TO THE FACTS". (See Notes 9/16/97 page 41). The Honorable Judge Davis N. Savitt further went on to acknowledge, "BUT HE'S A THIEF RATHER THAN A KILLER". (See Notes 9/16/97 page 41). After considering all the above mentioned testimony, on the day of September 16th 1997, Judge Savitt found Tyreem guilty of Second Degree "Felony Murder" and sentenced him to "Life Without The Possibility Of Parole" even after having judicially considered him "A Thief Rather Than A Killer".
- If Judge Savitt considered Tyreem a mere "thief rather than a killer" why would he severely sentence him to life without the possibility of parole? Why not afford Tyreem at least one fair opportunity to "RE-ENTER BACK INTO SOCIETY"? just as the system here in Pennsylvania continues to afford "more dangerous criminals" like rapist,child molestors,arsonist,attempted murderer's and even some cold hearted killers a second chance? Assistant District Attorney William Fisher answered this ("WHY QUESTION") during the closing arguments of Tyreem's September 1997 trial proceeding when he stated before the court: "Judge the only way that this does not warrant a conviction of Second Degree is " "FOR US TO CHANGE THE LAW". (See Notes 9/16/97 pgs 36-37).
- Twenty years after ADA Fisher made the above mentioned statement,State Senator Daylin Leach of the 17th District proposed and introduced to law makers "SENATE BILL #1138" which now calls for a change in the Second Degree felony murder law. Senator Leach believes that one of the foundational principles of justice is that people should be punished for crimes they commit in a way commensurated with crimes,and that the "felony murder statue violates that principle, in that it imprisons for life people who did not kill or intend to kill anyone", Whereas, such an unjustified punishment undermines the effectiveness of our justice system and the public's faith in it.
- THUS,WE THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OR WE THE TAX PAYING CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND /OR SUPPORTERS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, HEREBY SIGN THIS ONLINE PETETION IN SUPPORT OF SENATOR DAYLIN LEACH'S SENATE BILL #293 FORMERLY KNOWN AS SENATE BILL #1138 AND OR CALL FOR LAW MAKERS TO NOW CHANGE AND /OR ABOLISH THE SECOND DEGREE FELONY MURDER LAW HERE IN PENNSYLVANIA WHICH CONTINUES TO UNREASONABLY PUNISH SO MANY HUMAN BEINGS (THAT HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME) BY SENTENCING THEM TO LIFE WITHOUT THE POSSIBILTY OF PAROLE FOR CRIMES THAT DON'T NECESSARILY CALL FOR SUCH AN EXTREME FORM OF JUDICIAL PUNISHMENT. PLEASE SIGN TODAY AND FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT SENATOR DAYLIN LEACH @ 610-768 4200 or 717-787-5544
- PENNSYLVANIA IS THE ONLY STATE THAT GIVES LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR FIRST & SECOND DEGREE MURDER!!! IS IT FAIR FOR BOTH CHARGES TO CARRY THE SAME TIME? NO IT ISN'T FAIR IF YOU PLEAD GUILTY OR ARE FOUND GUILTY TO A LESSER CHARGE BUT SENTENCED TO THE SAME TIME THAT'S WRONG & THIS LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED
- IN CLOSING I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES IN LIFE, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE, SOMETIMES GOOD PEOPLE MAKE BAD CHOICES IT DOES'T MEAN THEY ARE BAD IT MEANS THEIR HUMAN!!! THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY A PERSON IS THE SAME TODAY AS THEY WERE 20,30 OR 40 YEARS AGO (PEOPLE CHANGE) TO SENTENCE ANYONE TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE IS BASICALLY SAYING THAT HE OR SHE IS INCAPABLE OF CHANGE HOWEVER NO ONE CAN DETERMINE THAT BUT GOD!!! PICTURE YOURSELF IN THE SHOES OF SOMEONE SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE AND YOU NOT HAVING THE CHANCE OR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THAT YOU'VE CHANGED AND ARE NOW A BETTER PERSON HOW WOULD YOU FEEL? EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE.
Glenda SmithPetition Starter
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Petition created on September 3, 2016