Philadelphia Inquirer — Judges — Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

Why 1,200 people who never took a life are condemned to die in Pa. prisons. | Editorial

“An editorial board analysis of data from the Office of the Lt. Governor shows that the 1,166 felony murder lifers are almost exclusively men (96%), mostly black (70%), and half are from Philadelphia. The population is also aging. The average felony murder lifer starts their sentence at age 24; the average age of the lifers currently in prison is 48 — with the oldest condemned being 88 years old. About half of second-degree lifers have already served two decades. A quarter already served three.“

Philadelphia Inquirer

November 17, 2019

SentencingPhillip ReevesNovember 17, 2019Philadelphia Inquirer, Felony murderComment

A liberal group wants Philly DA Larry Krasner on the Supreme Court. Yes, the U.S. Supreme Court.

““Our courts are filled with former prosecutors, but it’s been nearly 30 years since the Supreme Court has had a justice with a criminal defense background," Demand Justice cofounder Christopher Kang, a former deputy council to President Barack Obama, said in an emailed statement. “That is why Larry Krasner, who has been on the front lines fighting for a criminal justice system that works for everyone, is exactly the kind of bold champion for progressive values who can restore balance to the Supreme Court."“

Philadelphia Inquirer

October 18, 2019

JudgesPhillip ReevesOctober 18, 2019Philadelphia Inquirer, Larry Krasner, SCOTUSComment

Judge denies Krasner office’s request to vacate death penalty in 1984 double murder

“A federal judge on Monday denied a request by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office to vacate the death penalty for a Philadelphia man convicted of the 1984 strangulation and drowning deaths of a prominent pastor’s son and daughter-in-law in their East Mount Airy home.“

Philadelphia Inquirer

March 4, 2019

JudgesPhillip ReevesMarch 4, 2019Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Larry KrasnerComment

Racial disparities plague Pennsylvania’s life-without-parole system — but can it be fixed?

“Over the past year, Street, a Democrat from North Philadelphia, has been telling anyone who will listen that a change is overdue. Pennsylvania's murder rate ranks 25th in the nation. Yet, courts in the state sentence people to life without parole at a rate that's among the highest in the country, and more than double the national average. Street introduced a bill last year that would allow lifers to be considered for parole after 15 years — a move that would make 64 percent of lifers eligible for that consideration.“

Philadelphia Inquirer

September 18, 2018

SentencingPhillip ReevesSeptember 19, 2018Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania, Life without paroleComment

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