⚖️ In a landmark decision on March 26, 2026, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life without parole for felony murder is unconstitutional under the state constitution`s prohibition on "cruel punishments."

An article from the Center for Constitutional Rights @ccrjustice reports that the first time since 1790, Pennsylvania`s courts have ruled that state constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment offer broader protections than the federal Eighth Amendment. The court stated that sentencing someone to life in prison without assessing their individual culpability is disproportionate and cruel.

🏛️ Derek Lee challenged his automatic life sentence for a robbery where another person committed homicide. After serving over ten years, he and over 1,000 others serving life sentences for felony murder will be eligible for resentencing. The ruling takes effect after a 120-day stay for the legislature to respond.

🔑 Key points include:

– Pennsylvania has one of the highest rates of Death by Incarceration (DBI) in the world, with over 5,200 individuals serving life without parole.
– Philadelphia has the highest number of local DBI sentences globally.
– Over 70% of those affected by the ruling are Black, highlighting significant racial disparities.
– Nationwide, more than 50,000 individuals are serving DBI sentences.

⭐ This victory follows decades of advocacy from various organizations and those affected by these sentences. Derek Lee expressed gratitude for the support of others incarcerated, while his mother, Betty Lee, emphasized his potential as a role model upon his return to Pittsburgh.

This ruling offers hope to over a thousand families and marks the beginning of a renewed fight to abolish Death by Incarceration. It`s now up to the General Assembly to ensure that those serving these sentences can return home.

🔗 Read the full article using the link in our bio:

#CARENews …

👃🏽 Coughing, sneezing, or nasal discharge can be early signs of respiratory infections in pets. Conditions like kennel cough or pneumonia can escalate quickly without proper care.

🐝 For a gentle, at-home support option, try this recipe from the kitchen of Sharon Nordrum:

Natural Dog Cough Drops
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons honey

Mix thoroughly. Spread on a cookie sheet about an inch thick and freeze. Break it up (trying for similar size pieces).

If you have silicon molds you can use those so you have uniformed pieces. If you have turmeric on hand you can add a teaspoon to the mixture before freezing. Turmeric is a natural anti- inflammatory, aids in digestion, and is an immunity booster.

💚 This recipe can help soothe irritation, but always monitor symptoms closely and contact a vet if breathing becomes labored or your pet stops eating.

🎨 Artwork by Lewis King Design …

🐾 More than 300 pets were taken from Rock ‘N’ Pawz Rescue @rocknpawzrescue by Los Angeles County despite the early report in a L.A Times @latimes article citing an estimated number of 700.

Neighbor David Canfield was quoted on the news saying "it smelled and sounded like the biggest dog fight".

With hundreds of animals entering the system at once, a critical question emerges: Do shelters have the capacity to care for them all without resorting to euthanasia?

Since then the rescue has been posting images of the dogs taken.

Hundreds of dogs are an abundance of work.

While we wait for the whole story, we recognize that the field is full of both compassion and lacks resources and the current system is not working.

🔗 Read the LA Times report using the link in bio. …