Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

maximum sentence

Under what circumstances would a judge give a maximum sentence of 20-40 years for a third degree murder conviction if the convicted had no other prior felony charges, he was 16 at the time the time, and the evidence was very vague. He was under the influence of alcohol,& marijuana and doesn't quite remember anything. There were 2 other defendants involved; 1 testified in exchange for a 14-30 year sentence.The defendants were looking at a life sentence. But this one was convicted of 3rd degree(The 3rd is awaiting trial) I'm surprised at the maximum sentence imposed . My understanding is that with pennsylvania point system there should have been a lesser sentence. The only prior offense was a receiving stolen property charge which counted as 1 point.Let me also mention the defendant was convicted of 3rd degree murder,robbery,burglary and receiving stolen property. full sentence was for 27 1/2 to 57 1/2.

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