Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court Weighs ‘CRUEL’ Punishment in Second-degree Murder Cases

As a young man on the streets of Homewood, Robby Wideman was destined for trouble. He was only 24 years old when he became embroiled in a botched heist. Things went wrong when his accomplice shot and killed the victim, and Wideman was sentenced to life in jail with no chance of parole even though he did not fire the gun.

“I was involved in the killing of a man. I did not kill him. I didn’t expect it to happen. I was living that lifestyle. So I don’t say, “Oh, I should not have gone to prison.” Yes, I should have gone to prison for what I did, but for life?” he asked.

Wideman, like over 1,000 other state offenders receiving life sentences for second-degree murder, was given a hopeless future. Opponents call it “death by incarceration,” a harsh and unusual punishment that violates both the state and federal constitutions and denies an offender any opportunity for redemption.

“Almost every man is discouraged from attempting to change. I’m sure you can understand that. In some ways, it makes sense. Why should I? “You tell me I’ll never go home,” Wideman replied. But now the state Supreme Court will consider the case, which might change that. This fall, it will resume the sentence of another local young man involved in a similar crime gone wrong.

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Derek Lee is spending mandatory life in prison despite not being the shooter in a killing in the city’s West End ten years ago. His attorneys are requesting that the courts rule the sentence unlawful, enable Lee to be resentenced, and open the way for others.

According to Wideman, not only would the state save approximately $50,000 per year on housing each offender, but communities would gain from the reintegration of rehabilitated inmates. “If the court overturns second-degree murder and quits putting people in prison who didn’t kill anyone, society is going to win,” Wideman stated.

Even though he had little prospect of release, Wideman changed for the better. In prison, he gave up narcotics and alcohol, became a counselor for other inmates, and acquired a degree. His battle inspired his brother John Edgar Wideman, a nationally famous Pittsburgh novelist, to write the biography “Brothers and Keepers”. After 44 years in jail, then-Governor Tom Wolf commuted Wideman’s sentence.

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Today, Wideman manages a three-quarter house for former convicts, providing them with a place to live, job training, and the support they need to reintegrate into society. Wideman says he plans to spend the rest of his life sharing his hard-earned experience and insight to help others. He hopes that eventually, lifers like him will be granted release and be able to join the others.

“I’m trying to help folks. That, to me, is what it’s all about. That’s what it’s about. “I promised the guys I left behind that I would, and I’m doing my best to keep my word,” he added.

This case is scheduled to be heard by the state Supreme Court in October, but Gov. Josh Shapiro has already filed a surprise brief requesting that the court deem these mandatory penalties unlawful.