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Families, advocates urge change to joint‑venture felony murder sentencing in Massachusetts
Summary
Survivors, formerly incarcerated people, legal scholars and legislators urged the Joint Committee on the Judiciary to pass reforms narrowing joint‑venture liability and to add proportional sentencing that distinguishes principal from accomplice culpability.
Boston — Dozens of witnesses including family members of victims, formerly incarcerated people, legal scholars and lawmakers told the Joint Committee on the Judiciary on Sept. 21 that Massachusetts’ joint‑venture and felony‑murder doctrines produce disproportionate life sentences for accomplices who did not kill anyone.
Senator Liz Miranda, sponsor of S.1199 and supporter of related bills, said the statutes can “treat accomplices to the same as principal offenders” and produce sentences “outrageously out of proportion with the actions of the offender.”…
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