House committee advances legislation to allow some habitual offenders relief from life sentences
In the past, Alabama has had a strict habitual offender law where people convicted of three felonies received life without parole. Sentencing reform in the decades past has largely done away with that 1980s sentencing standard. On Wednesday, the Alabama House Judiciary Committee advanced legislation that would allow some offenders serving life sentences under that old statute to be given a possible pathway for release. House Bill 229 (HB229) is sponsored by State Representative Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa). HB29 had been carried over in committee due to concerns that some members of the Judiciary Committee had about the legislation. “It has been on the agenda for weeks in order to do work for it,” England said. “This is one of those rare times in this building where the process worked.” “Russell Bedsole has offered two amendments,” England explained. I have also worked with the AG’s office Katherine Robinson and Bennett Wright.” England explained that his bill addresses only inmates who received life without parole sentences under the habitual offender statute. This bill is limited to those inmates given life without parole before 2000. These inmates would get a hearing before a judge to consider whether or not to commute their life sentences. “This pares it down to a group of individuals who will have to have served 23 years,” England said. England explained that Rep. Bedsole is concerned about crime victims. “The Judge will give considerable weight to any objection brought by the victims,” England said. Authorities must notify the law enforcement agency that arrested them before the inmate gets a hearing. England is a former prosecutor who currently works as an attorney for the City of Tuscaloosa. “This gives everybody in this group one shot for review, and if you are denied, there is no appeal,” England explained. “It has got a sunset provision. After five years, this section is repealed, so after five years, that group of people won’t grow.” Bedsole said. “This wasn’t something I wanted to see progress the way it was (introduced).” Bedsole is a captain in the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department. Rep. Matt Simpson offered an amendment to the bill. “I know you have moved it from 30 days to 50. Could you stretch that to 90 days?” Simpson said that as a former prosecutor, he knows how difficult it is for the DA’s office to prepare for a hearing on an old case where evidence was filed decades ago. Rep. Tim Wadsworth asked, “Is there an age factor in this bill? England replied, “No, you would already have served 23 years, so most of them are about 60 years old. At least 50.” The committee voted to adopt the Bedsole and Simpson amendments and gave HB229 an Adopted favorable report though there was no opposition. The legislation could be voted on by the full House of Representatives as early as Tuesday. Thursday will be day 20 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. The House convenes at 9:00 a.m. and has a lengthy special order calendar. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
