On Monday, the US Supreme Court made a decision to allow inmates who committed murder as juveniles and sentenced to life in jail a chance for their sentences to be reviewed and reevaluated. According to reports, 13 prisoners from Lancaster County who committed murder as juveniles might obtain freedom from prison.
Fox News reported that these prisoners might be re-sentenced back into the community. Craig Stedman of Lancaster Country District Attorney said that this decision will dramatically and tremendously increase the stress and tragedy on the survivors of individuals who've been murdered by juvenile offenders.
US justices ruled 6-3 that juvenile murderers sent to prison for life as a half century ago deserve the same consideration as those under 18 who commit murders today. In 2012, the court ruled that mandatory life sentences for teenagers or juveniles violated the Constitution, as reported by USA Today.
This decision by the US Supreme Court could free as many as 1,500 prisoners, some convicted when they were as young as 13-years-old. These juveniles can apply for parole and can have their sentences reduced.
The US Supreme Court also ruled Jackson, which 2,100 inmates are to be given with new sentence, as reported by Star Tribune. Meanwhile, KTTN said that Missouri is also reviewing the court's decision.
Most of the families of the victims have no say about the latest ruling made by the US Supreme Court. Attorney Stedman said that you can't ask these victims what their opinion is about now should this person be let out of jail. Attorney Stedman added that the possibility of these murderers getting out was the most disturbing part of the ruling.
The District Attorney believes that some of them will be extremely dangerous to the community and hopes that the court will consider such concept. He also said that today's parents of juveniles who commit murder are making excuses instead of holding their child accountable for his or her actions.
