California moves to reduce sentences for convicted felons, murderers who have been locked up for more than 25 years

After gathering dust for almost a year the California Assembly is prepared to vote on SB 94 a bill that would allow lifers, in prison for murder and other such crimes, to petition for early release, KCRA Sacramento reports. 

That petition would be pretty much assured of being granted as the bill would mandate that felons who have been in prison for at least 25 years would be assured of having their sentences reduced. Serial killers and cop killers would not be eligible for the early release program.

SB 94 was quietly moved from the assembly’s "inactive file" on Monday but that wasn’t discussed by legislators. The Democratic majority in the state legislature were prepared to vote on the bill a year ago but removed it from circulation.

The decision to resurrect the bill has roused both opponents and proponents of the legislation. Crime Victims United (CVU) encouraged lawmakers to vote against the bill.

"We believe that this bill is not only unjust but also undermines the rule of law and the justice system in our country," wrote Harriet Salarno, the chair of CVU. "It would allow individuals who committed heinous crimes to potentially escape justice and receive reduced sentences, despite the severity of their offenses."

Fans of the bill argued that the bill is fair. "SB 94 creates a simple process that allows a person who's been incarcerated for decades and decades to prove they've been rehabilitated, and can one day be successfully released to the community," said Daniel Trautfield of the SB 94 Coalition. "SB 94 doesn't guarantee release to anyone."

Those who support the bill argue that it doesn’t mean automatic release but it is not clear how the petition “process” can be overridden. They also argue that a judge was more likely to issue more severe sentences for murder and rape 25 years ago – something opponents of the bill would also agree with.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has accused his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) of being soft on crime and specifically allowing violent criminals to get out of jail easily. Harris solicited donations to bail out rioters who ravaged Minnesota during the George Floyd “protests” even though she has portrayed herself as tough prosecutor as the attorney general of California.

One of the men released by the Harris-backed bail fund was later charged with murder.