UPDATE: Mass. House rejects Patrick’s judicial safety valve amendment

In a 132-23 vote, the Massachusetts House of Representatives has overwhelmingly  voted to reject Governor Deval Patrick’s proposed amendments to the omnibus crime bill (H.3818). The Senate has yet to consider the amendments.

House Speaker DeLeo suggested on Monday that there was enough legislative support behind the bill as written to override a veto should the Governor do so with ample time to hold a vote. The legislative session ends July 31.

Specifically, the rejected amendment would establish a judicial safety valve for granting parole eligibility to third-strike offenders who serve at least two-thirds of their max sentence (or 25 years of a life sentence) when the judge determines that to do so would be “in the interest of justice” in light of “substantial and compelling reasons.”

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