Imposición de cadena perpetua por homicidio en Pensilvania

Explicación Simple

Si alguien comete un homicidio y ya tiene antecedentes de homicidio, puede recibir cadena perpetua. Esto significa que no saldrá de la cárcel nunca más. Es una forma de asegurar que quienes han hecho daño antes no lo hagan de nuevo.

Es como si en un juego de fútbol alguien recibe una tarjeta roja por hacer trampa, y si ya había sido expulsado antes, no puede volver a jugar nunca más.

Ejemplo Práctico

Juan fue condenado por homicidio en el pasado y, años después, comete otro homicidio. Al ser juzgado nuevamente, se le impone cadena perpetua porque ya tenía antecedentes, lo que significa que pasará el resto de su vida en prisión.

Penalidades

Cadena perpetua para quienes tienen antecedentes de homicidio al ser condenados por homicidio de tercer grado.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

42 Pa.C.S. 1982 - Amendments § 9715. Life imprisonment for homicide. (a) Mandatory life imprisonment.-- Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9712 (relating to sentences for offenses committed with firearms), 9713 (relating to sentences for offenses committed on public transportation) or 9714 (relating to sentences for second and subsequent offenses), any person convicted of murder of the third degree in this Commonwealth who has previously been convicted at any time of murder or voluntary manslaughter in this Commonwealth or of the same or substantially equivalent crime in any other jurisdiction shall be sentenced to life imprisonment, notwithstanding any other provision of this title or other statute to the contrary. (b) Proof at sentencing.-- Provisions of this section shall not be an element of the crime and notice thereof to the defendant shall not be required prior to conviction, but reasonable notice of the Commonwealth's intention to proceed under this section shall be provided after conviction and before sentencing. The applicability of this section shall be determined at sentencing. The sentencing court, prior to imposing sentence on an offender under subsection (a), shall have a complete record of the previous convictions of the offender, copies of which shall be furnished to the offender. If the offender or the attorney for the Commonwealth contests the accuracy of the record, the court shall schedule a hearing and direct the offender and the attorney for the Commonwealth to submit evidence regarding the previous convictions of the offender. The court shall then determine, by a preponderance of the evidence, the previous convictions of the offender and, if this section is applicable, shall impose sentence in accordance with this section. Should a previo