-
If you want breaking news sent to your email just click here.More >> If you want breaking news sent to your email just click here.More >>
SALINAS - Certain inmates in California will soon be able to ask a judge to re-think their sentences after being locked up for 15 years.
"What this bill does is essentially give the defendant a second crack at avoiding life without parole. We don't think that's appropriate," said Terry Spitz, chief assistant district attorney for the Monterey County District Attorney's Office.
The bill would mean juveniles would be able to convert their life-without-parole sentence to a 25-to-life sentence.
Spitz is a member of the California District Attorneys Association's Legislation Committee that unanimously opposed the bill.
"We don't think it's appropriate because the defendant, the juvenile who was involved in a murder, has already had one hearing and sentencing as to whether he should be sentenced to life without parole or be given an opportunity to parole at 25 to life," he said.
He said that means this is essentially allowing the defendant to be resentenced.
"Our experience is that juveniles that get life without parole have particularly added horendous crime to their credit," Spitz said.
But the author of the bill disagrees, saying this gives juveniles, who could develop over time, a second chance.
