There are positive and negative aspects to today’s 6-3 Supreme Court ruling in Graham v. Florida that it is unconstitutional to sentence a juvenile non-homicide offender to life without the possibility of parole. On the positive side, the Court upheld the constitutionality of life without parole (LWOP) for juvenile killers. Over 90% of juveniles serving LWOP are murderers, so this ruling won’t affect them at all. That means that the 1200 or so juvenile killers serving LWOP got no relief from this case. Furthermore, states can continue to sentence appropriate …
On November 9th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments challenging the constitutionality of juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences. In preparation for oral arguments, JLWOP: Faces & Cases will be an on-going series on The Foundry that will tell real stories about juvenile offenders who are currently serving LWOP sentences. Defendant: Ethan Allen Windom (17) Victim: Judith Windom Crime: Second degree murder Where: Boise, Idaho Crime date: January 25, 2007 Verdict: Guilty Sentence: Life without parole Summary Ethan Allan Windom battered his mother with a barbell and then …
On November 9th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments challenging the constitutionality of juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences. In preparation for oral arguments, JLWOP: Faces & Cases will be an on-going series on The Foundry that will tell real stories about juvenile offenders who are currently serving LWOP sentences. Defendant: Norman Willover (17) Victims: Priya Mathews, Jennifer Aninger, Frances Anne Olivo Crimes: Two counts, first degree murder & other charges Where: Monterey, California Crime date: January 31, 1998 Summary Norman Willover tried to rob two female students …
The United States has a juvenile crime problem that far exceeds the juvenile crime problems of other Western countries. Over the years, state legislatures have responded to this increase in the volume and severity of juvenile crime by providing for sentences that effectively punish offenders, incapacitate them, and deter serious offenses. They have determined by an overwhelming majority that fulfilling their duty to protect their citizens requires making available life-without-parole sentences for juvenile offenders. The sentence stands up to constitutional scrutiny. All state supreme courts and federal courts that have …
On November 9th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments challenging the constitutionality of juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences. In preparation for oral arguments, JLWOP: Faces & Cases will be an on-going series on The Foundry that will tell real stories about juvenile offenders who are currently serving LWOP sentences. Defendant: Donald Torres (14) Victims: Harry Godt, Jennifer Godt, Jon Godt (age four), Jennifer Godt (age one and a half) Crimes: Four counts of first degree murder Crime date: February 24, 1989 in Middletown, Delaware Summary Donald Torres …
On Saturday, October 18, 2005, Pamela Vitale has plans to go to an afternoon ballet with a friend. She never made it. Armed with a knife, sixteen-year old Scott Dyleski breaks into Vitale’s home and viciously attacks her. Pam puts up valiant fight, but she was unable to escape Dyleski’s brutal beatings and savage knife blows. Pam’s husband comes home to find blood smeared across the front door and windows. He enters his home, only to find blood all over the inside of his home, and his dead wife. …
On November 9th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments challenging the constitutionality of juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences. In preparation for oral arguments, JLWOP: Faces & Cases will be an on-going series on The Foundry that will tell real stories about juvenile offenders who are currently serving LWOP sentences. Defendant: Martize M. Smolley (16) Victims: Kelly Houser, Amy Allen Crimes: Two counts, felony first degree murder & other charges Crime date: June 14, 2004 in Peoria, Illinois Summary Martize Smolley shot and killed a mother and daughter …
On May 10, 2007 sixteen-year old Blair Holt and his friends were riding the bus home from school in Chicago. This was Blair’s last ride. A Chicago juvenile gang member looking for another gang member pushes his way onto the bus and fires wildly at the other gang member who is sitting just behind Blair. The shots hit five people, including one which killed Blair. The juvenile was convicted and sentenced to life. Blair’s father, Chicago Police Officer Ron Holt, tells Blair’s story and explains why juvenile life …
On May 12, 1990, 28-year old Jimmy Cotaling of Michigan drove his car to a store to buy his mother a Mother’s Day card. When he failed to return home, his family filed a missing person’s report. His car was found in Ohio. The police investigated the two occupants of the car, one of whom had suffered a stab wound to the stomach. Three days into the investigation, one of the suspects confessed that she and the co-defendant lured Jimmy into a house and killed him. Further investigation revealed that …
On November 9th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments challenging the constitutionality of juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences. In preparation for oral arguments, JLWOP: Faces & Cases will be an on-going series on The Foundry that will tell real stories about juvenile offenders who are currently serving LWOP sentences. Defendant: Chawa See (16) Victim: Robert Trevino Crimes: Murder with special allegations and other crimes Crime date: October 1, 2006 in Visalia, California Summary Chawa See shot a 15-year-old boy in the head with a .380 caliber semiautomatic …
