In March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that life-without-parole sentences for second-degree murder are unconstitutional, a precedent-setting decision that could impact hundreds of people incarcerated in the commonwealth.
The Court’s move means that people who were present during a murder but did not plan it can no longer be subjected to a mandatory sentence of life without parole.
“We determine that a mandatory life without parole sentence for all felony murder convictions, absent an assessment of culpability, is inconsistent with the protections bestowed upon our citizens under the ‘cruel punishments’ clause of our Commonwealth’s organic charter,” Chief Justice Debra Todd wrote for the majority.
Life sentences are still possible for second-degree murder on a case-by-case basis. Still, the ruling in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Derek Lee could instigate the state’s largest ever resentencing effort, according to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
This was a significant moment for people sentenced to what many call “death by incarceration.”
Having a life sentence is devastating. I am serving one for first-degree murder. Many of us work hard to show our rehabilitation, only to be pushed aside. It can be hard to keep a happy face as hope ebbs and flows.
With the court’s recent ruling, even those of us who don’t fall under this decision, are in a new moment of hope.
The court’s ruling doesn’t impact me, but my friend John L. Corbin could be. In 2004, Corbin, who has been unsuccessfully fighting his case without an attorney for many years, was convicted of second-degree murder of his stepfather during a confrontation.
Corbin agreed to sit with me for an interview in the days after the ruling. Some of the questions and answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Q: Hi John, how is it going? First, thanks for taking time to sit with me and allowing me to ask some questions about the Derek Lee case.
Corbin: Hey, this is big for me. I am not one to share and put my story out there for everyone to read it. However, change is due. If you want change, make change, flow with change, don’t fight the change.
Q. With the court’s ruling, how do you feel?
Corbin: For 25 years there was a mental hope, a hope that did not reach the heart. A grim reality hung over my head for 24/7: “You are going to die in here.” That kinda thing strongly diminishes hope.
The Derek Lee win revives hope that I may leave here alive, able to live free again, help raise my children, my grandbabies. My children are adults, but they still need help. When my family learned the news, they were elated for me.
Q: What does this ruling do for you?
Corbin: The ruling gives me a legitimate chance at parole — maybe my dreams can actually come true.
When I get out of here, I would like to be involved with St. Jude Children’s Hospital and set up a program back home that helps single parents with home and auto repairs.
Early in prison, my children had nothing to do with me, which was devastating. At one time I thought about ending it all because no matter what I do, or have done, [the system] wins. No matter the evidence provided, they win.
But I cannot do that to my children, no matter how much my suffering hurts me. This win in the courts is not only about me. There are so many others who would benefit from this, people who have lived their own version of this nightmare.
Q: What has your life been like inside?
Corbin: I wouldn’t say I’ve [ever] come to terms with a life sentence, which for me is akin to laying down and giving up. So for 15 years I fought [my case] on paper, pro se, as an uneducated, unqualified blue-collar worker with no money to pay for an attorney.
A mechanic trying to be a lawyer — that’s tough. No disrespect to mechanics.
I have mentored various young inmates, facilitated commutation workshops for lifers, and was a dog trainer. I participated in these activities thinking, if I can help someone else’s child, maybe someone can be there to help my children in my absence.
Q: Has the court’s ruling reshaped your faith in the system?
Corbin: No! Life in here has been very hard with the immense and intense injustice of why I am here. I was a productive member of society, raised a family, paid taxes and had no prior record. I truly believed the system worked, until I was provoked by a family member and then defended myself. The system turned me into a monster.
