Offering a plea deal of murder in the second degree with a sentencing recommendation of 25 years is not really an incentive for someone already being charged with murder two, the maximum sentence for murder two is life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. Plus a sentence of 25 years would not be legal as New York law requires a minimum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years. Someone convicted of murder two, whether by a guilty plea or a jury verdict, is required to receive a life sentence and must serve at least 15 years of that sentence before being considered for parole.