For at least the past five years, anti-incarceration activists, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Human Rights Watch (HRW), and Amnesty International (AI), have been waging a disinformation campaign designed to free juvenile killers from prison. The latest battleground is Colorado where the Grand Junction Sentinel reports: “Three state lawmakers are hoping to overturn the life sentences of 48 juveniles who were tried as adults and convicted of murder. The bill, which is to be heard in a House committee this week, would allow those juveniles, who are now …
You could be forgiven for thinking that an organization called the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) would provide the public with accurate statistics from the states. But the group has put its credibility at risk by relying on bogus statistics on juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences from a group, Human Rights Watch, whose work in the area has been thoroughly discredited. First, some background: As the co-author of “Adult Time for Adult Crimes: Life Without Parole for Juvenile Killers,” I have been studying the issue of JLWOP for …
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 …
Yesterday, the California Assembly Public Safety Committee voted 4 – 2 to approve Senate Bill No. 399, which allows any prisoner to petition the sentencing court for “recall” (i.e., cancellation) if they have served at least 10 years of a life-without-parole sentence for any crime committed before turning 18 . These juvenile offenders, almost all of whom were convicted of first-degree murder with any number of aggravating circumstances (e.g. multiple murders, murder for hire, murder of a police officer or firefighter, and torture of the victim), would then be allowed a rehearing …
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 …
