Background
Simmons was given the death penalty at the age of 17 for the murder of Shirley Crook. He continued to appeal the case up the court system as each court continued to uphold the death penalty. Eventually, the supreme court decided to hear his case.
Issue
Is giving minors the death penalty a violation of the 8th amendment's protection against cruel and unusual punishment?
Decision
Giving the death penalty to minors does indeed violate the 8th amendment.
Majority- Stevens, Souter, Ginsburg, Kennedy, Breyer
Dissenting- Rehnquist, Scalia, O'Connor, Thomas
My Opinion
According to Atkins v. Virginia, there is an "evolving standard of decency" with the death penalty. Although the execution of minors in history has been alright, at this point in time, the standard has evolved to the point where executing a minor is viewed upon as "cruel and unusual" and therefore Simmons should not receive the death penalty.
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