The House Appropriations Committee endorsed a bill Friday that would give future teens convicted of murder a possible option of parole after 40 years in prison, putting it on track for a full House vote this week.
In recent days, the legislation has gained additional support after bill sponsor Lynn Hefley, R- Colorado Springs, pledged to remove a provision granting relief to past offenders convicted since 1991, when mandatory life-without-parole sentencing took effect.
“We’re moving ahead confidently,” Hefley said after the panel passed the bill by a 7-4 vote. “People are realizing this is the right and humane thing to do.”
The bill hit a bump last week when the same committee deadlocked amid confusion over the bill’s provisions and state prosecutors’ opposition to the retroactivity clause. After House leadership revived it by extending deadlines, Hefley reached agreement with state prosecutors to modify her bill further by gearing it only toward future offenders. Attorney General John Suthers stepped out publicly to support it and Gov. Bill Owens has indicated he would favor such a stripped-down version as well.
“The principal reason for our opposition has been retroactivity,” said Dave Thomas, executive director of the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council, acknowledging that the DA council leadership could back the bill without retroactivity and a few minor adjustments.
Hefley’s measure would not guarantee parole after 40 years, but would allow the state parole board to decide whether they an inmate could be released.
That move, said Maureen Cain of the Criminal Defense Bar Association, helps avoid uneven justice within the legal system – district attorneys won’t maintain power to lock teens away forever, Cain said.
Staff writer Miles Moffeit can be reached at 303-820-1415.
