Case Brief

I. Heading

a. Roper v. Simmons

b. Supreme Court of the United States

c. March 1, 2005

d. 551

II. Statement of Facts - Respondent Simmons conspired to burglarize and murder a person with two friends. Only one fully participated. They entered the victim’s home, kidnapped her, bound her with duct tape and electrical cord, and threw her into a river. Respondent was 17 at the time. He subsequently bragged out the killing. He was taken into custody and confessed. He was put on trial as an adult, convicted, and sentenced to death after he turned 18.

III. Procedural History – The trial court convicted Roper of murder and sentenced him to the death penalty. The Missouri Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s decision. Simmons filed a post-conviction petition arguing that the Constitution prohibited the execution of a juvenile under the age of 18. The Missouri Supreme Court ultimately sentenced Roper to life imprisonment without the eligibility of probation or parole.

IV. Issues - “Whether it is permissible under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States to execute a juvenile offender who was older than 15 but younger than 18 when he committed a capital crime.”

V. Judgment – The United States Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Missouri Supreme Court.

VI. Holding – Roper will be sentenced to life imprisonment without eligibility for probation or parole.

VII. Rule of Law – The Eighth Amendment states that excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted. The provision is applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

VIII. Reasoning - The Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments forbid imposition of the death penalty on offenders who were under the age of 18 when their crimes were committed. Neither retribution nor deterrence provide adequate justification for imposing the death penalty on juvenile offenders. Juveniles lack sufficient culpability.

IX. Personal Impressions – I agree/disagree with this case because….