STIFFER JUVENILE SENTENCING

PFMLIT General, GIVING THEIR LIVES FOR LAWS, PENNY S LAW NEW YORK, THOSE WHO DIED AT THE HANDS

Under a bill signed into law yesterday by Gov. George Pataki, 14 and 15 year olds who commit second degree murder will face more adult-like penalties.  Pataki signed the legislation sponsors dubbed Penny's Law in honor of Penny Brown.  She was a 39 year old nurse who was killed in 1999 in Salamanca by a 15 year old who was later sentenced to the maximum juvenile sentence of 9 years to life.  Starting November 1, similar young killers convicted of second degree murder can be sentenced to a minimum of 7 1/2 years to life and a maximum of 15 years to life.  Current law provides for a minimum sentence of 5 years to life.  

(New York)