Political and Legislative
Supreme Court Rules Against Juvenile Life Without Parole Restrictions
The U.S. Supreme Court’s new conservative majority made a U-turn on Thursday, ruling by a 6-3 vote, that a judge need not make a finding of “permanent incorrigibility” before sentencing a juvenile offender to life without parole.
It was the first time in almost two decades that the high court has deviated from rules establishing more leniency for juvenile offenders, even those convicted of murder.
At the center of the case was Brett Jones, now 31, who was 15 when he stabbed his grandfather to death during a fight about Jones’ girlfriend. He was convicted of murder, and a judge sentenced him to life without parole.
