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.
Have ya seen this?
Court Ruling Will Affect Future Malvo Prosecutions (DC Sniper Can't be Executed)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1353490/posts
>>>But a better question for you, if there is no difference between armed robbery and murder, why do robber leave their victims alive? They are more likely to be caught and convicted if there are witnesses.<<<
Excellent point.
The problem is that we reap what they sow.
I didn't mean to come off like I was trying to nitpick your statement, I was trying to add to your argument against the person who was using the example of the 15 year old in the electric chair.
Ummmm ... Terri Shiavo didn't commit a murder
Since the state was not doing that as some form of punishment for a crime, apparently they didn't think it was in the scope of their authority.
I think it's cruel and unusual way to die, but it's a stretch to say that she had been "sentenced' to it for a crime.
Word games like that don't interest me BTW.
Did they say anything about the Death Peanlty for innocent liquor store owners, and weather or not juveniles can carry that out absent any charges, trial or verdict?
"The executions, the court said, were unconstitutionally cruel."
The murders for which they were convicted and sentenced were 'uncontitutionally cruel'!
The federal courts always vote against the defenseless, they are the reason we have abortion. They also have found against the citizens of this country as they have stated it is against their law that we can defend our selves. Note discrimination is no more than one's natural responce against things that threaten them. At this time we can't even keep out Illegals lest we discriminate.
We need not look far to find studies contradicting the Courts conclusions. As petitioner points out, the American Psychological Association (APA), which claims in this case that scientific evidence shows persons under 18 lack the ability to take moral responsibility for their decisions, has previously taken precisely the opposite position before this very Court.
In its brief in Hodgson v. Minnesota, 497 U. S. 417 (1990), the APA found a rich body of research showing that juveniles are mature enough to decide whether to obtain an abortion without parental involvement. Brief for APA as Amicus Curiae, O. T. 1989, No. 88805 etc., p. 18.
The majority opinion is as dishonest as the APA.
Killing is killing,whether the state sanctions it or not.
The only time I find it justifiable is in times of war, or in cases where certain death is hastened or made easier out of compassion.
It is my view, that if life loses respect, then taking it means little to the criminal.
Also, the criminal likely cares little about losing his/her own.
I believe the State is responsible for the lack of respect for life and property, since it seems to have little respect either.
As to criminals, they are punished far worse by imprisonment and loss of basic rights. Death is the easy way out for them.
That is infuriating.
Lets see Kids can kill you but you can't spank them
An amazing interpretation, realy, considering that when the Constitution was written, sixteen year-olds were working their own farms and raising their children.
The eighteen year old bit didn't really get going until the unions and child labor laws came into being.
"...the 5 Justices voting capital punishment un-Constitutional...the same who vote capital punishment for UNBORN children is enshrined in the Constitution..."
Have they not just declared abortion unconstitutional? The preborn sentenced to death and executed are under the age of 18!
Why do you want to keep evil killers on the planet?
If a sociopath is so bad he must be kept in prison until he dies of old age, at terrific expense to the very population being protected from him, why keep him on Earth at all?
Your copy of the memo must have gotten lost in the mail. State legislatures are only for arguing against a proposed Constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and woman. States rights is dead.
Now terrorists and gangbangers have the perfect legal loophole. Way fo go SC. No death penalty for Malvo, either.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.