Ruling allows new hearings for 100 convicted killers by Steve Mills and Duaa Eldeiby
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The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday that inmates serving mandatory life sentences for murders they committed as juveniles will receive new sentencing hearings, giving about 100 convicted killers a shot at freedom.
The inmates, some of whom were as young as 14 at the time of the murders, will now be allowed to present evidence — including the circumstances of their upbringing and their rehabilitative efforts in prison — to obtain reduced sentences and possible freedom. Prosecutors can try to persuade judges to re-impose the life sentences.