A man convicted of first-degree murder in 1994 for a drug-debt killing on the South Side is now eligible for parole following his third sentencing in the case.
Regis Seskey, 42, was 17 years old when he fatally shot Marc Bova in October 1992. He was sentenced to mandatory life in prison without parole.
On Wednesday, that penalty was reduced to 13 years to life, and Seskey is immediately eligible for release.
Seskey was entitled to a new sentencing hearing after the U.S. Supreme Court found in 2012 that mandatory life without parole prison terms for those under 18 were unconstitutional.
Seskey had his first resentencing in November 2016, when Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Joseph K. Williams III reduced his prison term to 13 to 26 years in prison.
The district attorney's office objected, however, arguing that under Pennsylvania law, Seskey — and all those similarly situated — are required to have a maximum prison term of life.
The Pennsylvania Superior Court agreed and in August ordered that Seskey be resentenced.
At a hearing Wednesday, Seskey offered apologies to his victim's family, and Judge Williams said he felt they were sincere.
The judge said he believes Seskey regrets his actions, has repented and had exhibited growth in prison even before he knew he could be resentenced.
"Once a person has repented, I believe we owe a person forgiveness," the judge said.
Paula Reed Ward: pward @post-gazette.com, 412-263-2620 or on Twitter @PaulaReedWard.
First Published: November 29, 2017, 10:27 p.m.
