Thomas Grisso & Albert Grudzinskas offer technical assistance to legislators
August 23, 2012
The United States Supreme Court in its recent decision of Miller v. Alabama struck down as unconstitutional, mandatory sentences of life without parole for juvenile offenders.
State Sen. Harriett Chandler of Worcester has teamed with the District Attorney for the Middle District, Joseph Early, Jr. and retired Chief Administrative Justice for The Juvenile Court, Martha Grace to develop legislation to address the issue of the 61 persons now serving life without parole for crimes they committed as juveniles in Massachusetts. The group sought technical assistance from Thomas Grisso, Ph.D. and Albert J Grudzinskas Jr., J.D. with respect to the type of expert testimony that could be offered in the re-sentencing hearings that will soon be undertaken for this group.
In addition to preparing a brief guide for judges, Judge Grace and Prof. Grudzinskas will join Sen. Chandler on her WCCA TV 13 television show “Beacon Hill Chat.” They will discuss the Supreme Court decision, the persons now serving mandatory life sentences, the cost to taxpayers, and issues of public safety. The show will be taped on September 7.