|
State Government
|
|
By Administrator
|
|
Wednesday, 27 June 2012 12:22 |
|
RALEIGH, (AP) — There are more offenders in North Carolina prisons serving mandatory life-without-parole sentences for killings committed when they were young than state correction officials initially announced this week after a U.S. Supreme Court decision.
The state Division of Adult Correction said Tuesday that 88 people are incarcerated for life without the chance for parole for first-degree murder convictions for offenses that occurred before they were 18.
The division at first calculated the number of prisoners at 25 on Monday — the day a U.S. Supreme Court ruling struck down automatic life sentences without parole for youths because it constituted cruel and unusual punishment. A division spokeswoman said Monday's number was a research error.
The justices' ruling means these prisoners could file appeals that may give them a chance to seek parole.
|
|
Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 June 2012 12:24 |
