Tuesday, March 01, 2005

No More Juveniles on Death Row

The US Supreme Court just moved around 70 convicted murderers off death row. They ruled 5-4 that the death penalty is unconstitutional for minors. People aged 16 - 17 could be sentenced to death in 19 states before this ruling. A 2002 decision had drawn the line at those convicted of capital crimes committed before they turned 16. The latest ruling came in a Missouri case. In it, prosecutors argued the 17 year old killer had planned the murder, bragging he could kill his victim and get away with it because of his age. (CNN)

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