|
|
| High Court gives some jailed as teens hope of freedom |
| By articles.chicagotribune.com - Andrew Stern | Reuters |
| Published: 06/27/2012 |
|
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Qu'eed Batts, jailed for life in Pennsylvania at 16 for the gang-ordered slaying of a fellow teen, could be among some 2,000 juvenile murderers eligible for reduced sentences or freedom from jail following a landmark Supreme Court decision. The court ruled on Monday that juvenile murderers cannot be handed mandatory sentences of life in prison without parole, as is the law in 29 U.S. states. The ruling means that the personal stories of youths such as Batts could be heard by judges or parole boards for the first time. None received sentencing hearings after their trials. The high court, in a narrow 5-4 ruling, said judges and juries passing sentence on juvenile murderers must weigh mitigating circumstances, which could include the circumstances of the crime, the youth's role, and his or her family background. Life without parole is still a possibility, but the court ordered it cannot be mandatory for those under age 18. "If Batts is given an opportunity, which we think he should be given, to demonstrate his own capacity for growth and maturity, and reformation and rehabilitation, it will still be up to the parole board or other reviewing authority to determine if he's eligible to be released," said one of Batts' attorneys, Marsha Levick, of the Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia. Read More. |
Comments:
Login to let us know what you think
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Have you been hurt in an accident in Waco Temple or Killeen? Our personal injury lawyers will review your claim to examine if there is enough evidence to support a lawsuit. You may be eligible to file a personal injury claim if you were involved in an accident that was caused by the negligence of someone else. Our back injury accident attorney work with personal injury experts to understand how the accident has changed your life and what money you need to go forward.