State Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) fact checked a well-known conservative commentator on social media Friday who was critical of a bill that just advanced in the Legislature.
SB156, known as the “Second Chance Act,” sponsored by State Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road), was approved by the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday. The legislation allows for a person sentenced to life without the possibility of parole prior to May 26, 2000, to petition the court for a reduction of sentence if it was a non-violent crime.
“It has been dubbed as the Second Chance bill,” Barfoot said. “In essence, it gives a limited number of individuals who are currently in DOC custody, who previously have been charged with life without the possibility of parole, the ability to petition for the judge to hear their case and possibly resentence them.”
Blaze Media commentator Daniel Horowitz slammed the bill, saying that it would result in murderers being released from prison.
Now the Senate Judiciary Committee in Alabama passed the “Second Chance Act” for murderers who by definition had a ton of chances, to be resentenced https://t.co/lkzkmnY3bh https://t.co/PqCUtJimOA
— Daniel Horowitz (@RMConservative) February 20, 2025
Givhan responded to Horowitz, reminding him the provision of the bill that should exempt “murderers” from being able to benefit.
Violent crimes are not allowed to be reviewed. Pretty sure murder is violent.
— Sam Givhan (@Sam_Givhan) February 21, 2025
“Violent crimes are not allowed to be reviewed,” Givhan replied. “Pretty sure murder is violent.”
Givhan also spoke about the bill during the committee hearing.
“I just think it’s fundamentally unfair that somebody that’s been convicted, and I don’t remember what the year is, after 2015, after 2000, that somebody that was recently convicted can get out of jail within 15 years or however many years it is,” Givhan said. “But for doing the exact same thing before whatever that magical date is, they’re life without and never gonna see the outside of that prison. I just don’t think that’s right.”
The legislation has received support from conservative groups, including Americans for Prosperity’s Alabama chapter.
“Common sense, redemption, and fairness are what the Second Chance Act will bring to those who have served a minimum of 25 years for nonviolent crimes,” Americans for Prosperity-Alabama (AFP-AL) State Director Adam Thompson said. “By creating resentencing opportunities for those who have paid their debt and demonstrated the ability for rehabilitation, SB 156 will offer opportunities for incarcerated individuals that position them for success when released.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
