Benjamin Edward Schreiber, a prisoner serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, made a surprising argument: he claimed that his life sentence had ended because he had technically died.
In 2015, Schreiber was hospitalized for septic poisoning and kidney stones. Despite a “do not resuscitate” order, medical staff revived him five times.
Schreiber believed that since his heart had stopped, he had fulfilled his life sentence and should be released.
In 2018, Schreiber applied for post-conviction relief, but a judge rejected his claim, calling it “unpersuasive and without merit.” The judge stated that Schreiber was either alive and must remain in prison or dead, making the appeal moot.
Schreiber’s case raised questions about the legal definition of “life” and the consequences of temporary death.
Although his appeal was denied, his story sparked interest in the complexities of criminal justice and the human experience.
Ironically, Schreiber passed away in April 2023, due to natural causes, rendering his appeal moot. His unconventional argument, however, will be remembered as a thought-provoking example of the intricate relationship between life, death, and the law.
