Posted on 03/01/2005 7:21:16 AM PST by Next_Time_NJ
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 5-4 decision throws out the death sentences of about 70 juvenile murderers and bars states from seeking to execute minors for future crimes.
The executions, the court said, were unconstitutionally cruel.
This report will be updated as details become available.
Good grist for replacing these activist judges with constitutionalist judges.
I agree. I disagree with those who think it is a deterrent.
It is sad...generally I am of an extreme conservative, almost libertarian bent. I guess in this case I was playing the part of Devil's advocate.
You're right also, in the fact that a concensus is only reached through much debate. That's why I like Free Republic so much!
Please cite a case where someone declined to commit murder because the penalty was death instead of life in prison.
Slippery slope to politicaly please felons and mass murderers and terrorists of all kinds, giving them the vote...
Murderers have an age of consent??? What, I consent to murder someone?
Are you on crack?
There are systems and standards in place for determining what minors will be tried as adults. Your deep-throated advocacy for vicious killers is sickening!
Another example of the court stepping in where it doesn't belong. Why exactly do we have legislative bodies????
Can you cite any instances where someone came back from the dead to murder again?
Here is how they can read your 2nd Amendment.
It says "A well-regulated militia".
That means "regulations are ok".
That means gun control is constitutional.
And since the militia is a state-commanded organ, that means that whatever degree of regulation the states want to put on guns, that's a "well-regulated militia", and constitutional.
That means that the states can individually outlaw guns.
And the "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed" part?
Simple.
The Constitution applies to the Federal government, not the states.
So, the second clause says that Congress cannot completely outlaw guns, but the first clause says that states and municipalities can.
Of course, if they want a nice national standard, they will observe that "all rights have natural limits", and observe "free speech doesn't mean you can cry 'fire' in a crowded theater".
By that logic, they were able to make "Congress shall pass NO law abridging the freedom of speech" into "Congress shall pass no law we don't AGREE with that abridges the freedom of speech."
Ditto for guns.
Your best bet, if you are not willing to have government defy the Supreme Court, is to make sure that our Imperial Judicial Masters, who in fact wield Supreme and Final Authority in America, are mostly gun owners or NRA members.
That way the "King" is on your side.
Don't be disingenuous. "Age of consent" is shorthand for the legal distinction between being a minor and being an adult in the eyes of the law. Ask a lawyer what this means if you're still confused.
Stupid is right.
Save the murderers and give them the vote but kill the disabled. Some system of justice!
Perhaps the proper way to prevent murder is to pre-emptively execute every citizen in the country, then.
Yes it is soooo cruel to put a convicted murderer to death if he/she is under 19. But IT IS PERFECTLY FINE AND NOT UNCONSTITUTIONALLY CRUEL TO KILL AN UNBORN CHILD.
Correct analysis.
Correct analysis.
>>>>Many don't, **but some do**. Up til now, we let juries decide whether a teen "grasped" the significance of his crime.
Do you really think that a blanket generalization regarding *all* teen criminals is preferable to having each criminal judged on a case by case basis?
More importantly, do you think that *your* preference is Constitutionally required?<<<<
Great point!
Excellent post!!
The most disturbing part of this decision is Justice Kennedy saying that International opinion should be considered
You might not like it but just because soemone is under 18 does not mean that they brain dead. Minors know at relatively young ages that dead means DEAD AND GONE. By 15 most, certainly understand the concept. If they don't then one must wonder where their parents are?
US Supreme Court is uber alles.
5 "Justices" are the law. They makes the law.
We are a banana republic.
Impeach the 5 Injustices now!
They are tyrants.
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