Tuesday, March 01, 2005

Supreme Court Ends Death Penalty for Youths

Supreme Court Ends Death Penalty for Youths

"The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Constitution forbids the execution of killers who were under 18 when they committed their crimes, ending a practice used in 19 states. The executions, the court said, violate the Eighth Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment

The 5-4 decision throws out the death sentences of about 70 juvenile murderers and bars states from seeking to execute minors for future crimes..."


Good, but only 5-4 good. Rehnquist was in the minority so that soon-anticipated change won't change the vote. But I'm not enough of a legal expert to see how or if a future court could reverse itself... The usual spot-on analysis is at TalkLeft.

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