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.
Tell me when we can sit down and have a visit eye to eye. You sound authoritative. Every one who has ever known me will tell you I am not someone you threaten. Bring it on, or post an apology for insinuating I am up for execution. Or, do the job yourself. No name calling. Come, let us reason together...
When you're ready for a lesson on the literary device utilizing sarcasm, you let me know. I'll devote the time and explanation you need.
It's early...certainly not your bedtime. Can you hear me now?
I don't think he was threatening you. He is saying that someone could have a juvenile kill someone for them but that someone would be guilty of first degree murder as well as the juvenile. And then the adult who hired the juvenile would be facing the death penalty. This ruling does not provide a loophole to murder someone.
OMG, what TOTAL BS.
We aren't talking about 10-year olds, but rather 16 and 17 year old teens.
Total BS is right. My daughter at 21 MONTHS understood what death really was.
BREAKING RADIO NEWS: Representative Dennis Baxley just talked about Bill 701. He said he would INSURE THAT IT WOULD APPLY TO TERRI SCHIAVO! WFLA RADIO 11:32 p.m. est
PRAISE GOD for that ray of hope.!!! WE NEED TO ALL CALL THOSE WHO WOULD BE INVOLVED IN PASSING THIS BILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 WE NEED BILL701, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"whatever the state legislature sets"... I agree, but the only body that can overrule that is the state SC... and the SCOTUS overrules them, so... what are you going to do?? Scream? Yell? Jump up and down.. isnt going to do anything.. you have to wait till they retire or die to replace them.. so basicly.. you have to deal with it... its just that simple.
"The only way for Congress or the President, or the States for that matter, to establish that the Supremes do NOT have that authority would be to simply defy them, and then for the covalent branches of government to stand with the defiant one.
That has not happened since Lincoln."
Incorrect. In 1936, the SCOTUS rejected Roosevelt's New Deal, including "Socialist Security". Roosevelt threatened to add six new Justices. Several Justices resigned; the new SCOTUS decided that the 1936 decisions were wrong, and what was Unconstitutional in 1936 was Constitutional in 1938, without benefit of Amending the Constitution in the meantime.
But it stops the executed who has already proven he or she is willing to murder. If the murder was deliberate, why does it matter how old the murderer is?
I disagree. I think the jury, judge and numerous avenues for appeal plus the pardon power of the governor and president of US, ensures all but the most aggravated, and heinous teen murderers get the death penalty.
I put my trust in the these people to make the right call.
I googled the victims' names, and the accounts of the case turned my stomach. And I see Yexas Youth Services is already pushing to release one of the perps. Evidently he's sorry and promises not to do it again. Fortunately, the judge in the case appears to be one of the few sane ones and dismissed the recommendation as 'psychobabble'. Meanwhile, various other liberal law groups are trying to get that same perp released because his rights as a foreigner were violated.
Just watch; sooner or later, these scum from hell - er, I mean, unfortunate victims of poverty and oppression - will be released.
If scum like this are to be released, the appropriate state agency should bring them to the steps of the Supreme Court and release them with news cameras running.
Agreed.
I'm opposed to the death penalty for the same reason I'm against abortion -- Human life is sacred.
For me the only reason for capital punishment is that we, as a society, cannot tolerate a particularly vicious individual to live among us.
How much is one human life worth? Is one life worth then another?
I do not equate abortion (the killing of an innocent life) with an execution (the killing of a convicted murderer).
These are two separate issues.
The problem I have with not executing those that have murdered is two fold, one we have cheapend the life of their victim (saying the criminal's life is more valuable, and two, at some point some point,some of those that have been convicted of murder will kill again. Either within the prison system, or if they escape, or more likely when they are let out in society again.
How many people would a person have to murder before you would agree that killing them would be the only way to stop them? From your statement, you are willing to allow them to kill as often as they are able to.
If a man is in prison for life, no possibility for parole, and there is no further punishment the system can apply to him, what would keep him from killing othe prisoners or guards?
These are two separate issues.
Clearly. I was stating the principle why I'm against both.
The problem I have with not executing those that have murdered is two fold, one we have cheapend the life of their victim (saying the criminal's life is more valuable, and two, at some point some point,some of those that have been convicted of murder will kill again.
Tit-for-tat death doesn't appeal to me. Sorry.
As I said: "the only reason for capital punishment is that we, as a society, cannot tolerate a particularly vicious individual to live among us."
A multiple-murder convict would be one of the "vicious individual"s.
I must agree with you and suggest the execution be delayed till they reach the age of majority. That way they have something to look forward to. Not exactly Disneyland, but what the hey, it'll provide lasting memories or not ;-)
Send in the clowns. There ought to be clowns.
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