SW Riverside News

A legislative proposal, SB 94 (Cortese), is currently under consideration that would allow certain criminals sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for special circumstance murders to petition for a new sentence that includes the possibility of parole.

The bill applies to individuals who have served at least 25 years and whose offenses occurred before June 5, 1990. These individuals were convicted of "special circumstance murder," a designation reserved for particularly egregious crimes such as torture, poison, lying in wait, rape by instrument, and mayhem.

Critics argue that the ongoing effort to reduce California's prison population has overly prioritized the interests of criminals over the safety and well-being of victims and their families. They contend that re-litigating these cases undermines the finality of fair trials and re-traumatizes families who believed their loved ones' killers would never be released.

"SB 94 sends a terrible message and re-traumatizes families of victims who were reassured that the criminals who have done unspeakable things to their loved ones would never be released," one critic stated.

Although SB 94 was introduced last year, it was initially held back due to voter pressure. However, it has now resurfaced with support from the legislative supermajority.

"I will continue to advocate for victims of crimes and their families, and if this bill comes to a floor vote, I will unequivocally vote 'No,'" another opponent declared.