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Analysis: High Court Strikes Down Death Penalty for Juveniles

The Supreme Court has struck down state death penalty laws for 16- and 17-year-olds. In a 5-4 decision, the high court found putting juveniles to death to be cruel and unusual. The minority opinion voiced concerns that the majority was bowing to foreign courts and legislators.

Copyright 2005 NPR

Nina Totenberg is NPR's award-winning legal affairs correspondent. Her reports air regularly on NPR's critically acclaimed newsmagazines All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition.
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