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Michigan court bans mandatory life sentences for 19 and 20-year-olds in murder cases

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life sentences without parole for 19 and 20-year-olds convicted of murder are unconstitutional cruel punishment.
Hundreds of inmates will now be eligible for resentencing hearings where mitigating factors like mental health and family life will be considered.
The court's decision was based on research showing that brains of late adolescents are still developing their ability to consider consequences.

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WJBK

Center

Michigan supreme court rules against life without parole for some offenders

The Michigan Supreme Court has handed down a landmark ruling regarding murderers under the age of 21, stating that they can no longer be sentenced to mandatory life without parole.

1 day ago

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Wood TV

Center

Young killers will get chance for freedom under court ruling

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Tim Wilder sat in on every day of the trial for three men accused of murdering his uncle during an ATM robbery. He was there when the three were sentenced to life without parole for Joseph Wilder's death in May 2022. "I thought not even that is satisfying," Wilder said. "It's justice to the point to where we know that the people who hurt my uncle are going to be in a cell. They don't get to see the light of day." …

1 day ago

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Michigan Advance

Lean Left

Michigan Supreme Court eliminates automatic life sentences for 19- and 20-year-old murderers • Michigan Advance

Michigan Supreme Court | Susan J. DemasThe Michigan Supreme Court determined Thursday that 19- and 20-year olds can’t be automatically sentenced to life without possibility of parole for murder, and individuals who’ve been sentenced under previous rules can be resentenced. The 5-2 decision builds upon the court’s 2022 ruling which found that the state’s harshest punishment, life sentences without the possibility of parole, could not automaticall…

1 day ago

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The Herald Palladium

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Michigan Supreme Court eliminates automatic life sentences for 19- and 20-year-old murderers

The Michigan Supreme Court determined Thursday that 19- and 20-year olds can’t be automatically sentenced to life without possibility of parole for murder, and individuals who’ve been sentenced under previous rules can be resentenced. The 5-2 decision builds upon the…

1 day ago

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wdet.org

Lean Left

Michigan Supreme Court strikes down automatic life without parole for 19, 20-year-olds - WDET 101.9 FM

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled Thursday that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for 19- and-20-year-old defendants violate the state Constitution. The majority decision by a divided Supreme Court held that the sentences constitute “unconstitutionally harsh and disproportionate punishment” and will require resentencing hearings for roughly 580 prisoners convicted of murder. This follows similar decisions recently by the Supreme Court affec…

1 day ago

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Fox17

Center

Kent County prosecutor reacts to new ban on mandatory life sentences for 19 and 20-year-olds

On Thursday, the Michigan Supreme Court struck down automatic, no-parole life sentences for 19- and 20-year-olds convicted of murder. With Michigan's Supreme Court ruling, hundreds of people will now be eligible for new sentences.It's the victim's families that thought they had some certainty, thought this was kind of behind them, and now for a vast majority of them probably have no idea that this is even a possibility, Kent County Prosecutor Ch…

2 days ago

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