West Virginia News – The West Virginia Senate on Friday passed a bill increasing criminal penalties and extending parole eligibility timelines for some of the state’s most serious violent crimes, including second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter.
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Senate Bill 137 passed on a 30-2 vote, with one member absent and not voting. The legislation amends state code to heighten sentencing ranges and require inmates to serve longer minimum terms before becoming eligible for parole.
Under the bill, the penalty for second-degree murder would increase from a current range of 10 to 40 years to a definite term of 15 to 60 years. Individuals convicted of the offense would be required to serve at least 15 years before parole eligibility, up from 10 years.
