The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing last night on a bill to change the most severe punishment for any crime in Rhode Island.
It would prevent a judge from sentencing a defendant to life without the chance for parole for violent crimes like first-degree murder or deadly carjackings.
State Representative John Edwards who is proposing the measure says "life without parole is the second death sentence."
The bill would also give some inmates serving life sentences a chance for release after 25 years.
Several states including Connecticut has passed similar laws.
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