Nebraska Coalition for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

A Coalition Dedicated to Ending the Practice of Sentencing Youth to Life Without the Possibility of Parole

Too Many Days

This post was written by Justeen. Justeen is currently serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for an offense committed in her ...

Two Letters, 37 Years

Now 54, Luigi has been incarcerated since he was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole at age 15. His 39 years served make ...

Definitely a Lady

This post was written by Mark Rathjen. Mark's wife Justeen is currently serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for an ...

The (Near) End of Commutations

This board used to commute people. Tough guys like Charley Thone and Jim Exon would commute people. We commute none. Why do we even have ...

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Judge John Murphy

“I sentenced [a 17-year-old] to life imprisonment. I have not changed my opinion as to the depravity of the crime, its abhorrent nature or its terrible impact upon the victim’s family and community. However, I have changed my opinion of the defendant.”

Judge John P. Murphy
Judging Youth and Serious Crime (Omaha World-Herald)

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  • Voices

    • Father Val Peter
    • Omaha World-Herald
    • Mel Beckman
    • Fran Kaye
    • Judge John Murphy
    • Jim Cunningham
    • Michael Nelsen
    • Alan Simpson
    • Cal Thomas
    • Washington Post
    • New York Times
    • Los Angeles Times
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  • Quick Facts

    • There are currently 26 men and women in Nebraska serving sentences of life without the possibility of parole for offenses they committed when they were under age 18.
    • Youth in Nebraska have been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole at ages as young as 13.
    • Nebraska ranks 8th among states in its use of these sentences per capita.
    • The U.S. is the only country that allows youth under age 18 to be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

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  • Friends

    • National Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth
    • Voices for Children in Nebraska

To get in touch with the Coalition contact Mel Beckman at (402) 558-2085 or melbeckman@cox.net

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