Two Philly Convicts Get New Lease On Life, Thanks To Supreme Court Ruling
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As teenagers, they were sentenced to life in prison, without parole for murder. But those two convicts have been given a new lease on life: they've been granted parole. The ruling comes as a result of two Supreme Court decisions and help from Philadelphia's legal system.
Henry Smolarski and Tyrone Jones are two Philadelphia prisoners, who were never supposed to get another chance. District Attorney Seth Williams said the kids didn't have the choice.
"The Supreme Court ruled that the brain really doesn't function, the kids didn't really have the opportunity to make good decisions based on neuroscience," he said.
Williams said this year, the justices made it made it retroactive, for older prisoners, like Smolarski and Jones.
"Both of them were granted parole," he said.
Nearly 300 more Philadelphia prisoners are hoping for the same result. Williams said they first need to face a judge to get a new sentence, before they can eligible for release. The hope is that they move on, and become viable members of society.