In a 5-4 vote, the court said the Louisiana law allowing the death penalty to be imposed in such cases violates the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

"The death penalty is not a proportional punishment for the rape of a child," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in his majority opinion. picked by ImNotBlue 2 months ago

Massachusetts' highest court says a man who impersonated his brother to have sex with the brother's girlfriend cannot be convicted of rape. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving a woman's claims that she suffered physical, emotional, and mental damage from a 2-day violent exorcism when she was 17. Texas state court gave the church a blank ticket to do whatever they want because it would be religious practices. picked by 2manyusernames 1 month ago

Death penalty opponents often argue that it has limited deterrent value. However, a 1999 study conducted at Emory and Clemson Universities found that each execution results in an average of 18 fewer murders. The DPINFO website cites another 2003 University of Colorado study found that the death penalty reduced homicides by five to six victims, but for every three additional pardons or commutations... read full post picked by GKar975 2 years ago

Carlos Edward Tello was facing more than 20 years in prison when he jumped from a ninth-floor balcony of the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. picked by MandolinOrange 6 months ago

"I strongly object to this video being shown," he said. "This will turn jurors into my victims and I will be tried by a jury of my victims, not a jury of my peers."

His objection was denied.

Updates to this case pouring in daily as trial continues. picked by muppet 1 week ago

Most Americans know very little about the workings of the U.S. Supreme Court or its members, but mention Justice Clarence Thomas, and you are likely to start an argument. He is the court's only African American, and its most conservative member. He is arguably the most influential black man in the country, yet he is reviled by many in his own race for his opposition to government programs intende... read full post picked by capriccio 11 months ago

On December 10th the Supreme Court decided two companion cases that essentially hold that the Federal Sentencing guidelines really are just guidelines. In other words, the sentencing court, after giving them consideration, is free to disregard them and impose the sentence the court thinks is appropriate in a given case. To understand the significance of this development, here is a brief overview... read full post picked by bhartzer 9 months ago

The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether a state can execute someone convicted of raping a child, one of the few remaining crimes that does not require the death of the victim to result in capital punishment. picked by dollyllama 8 months ago

"Minh Phu Le poisoned his daughter Skyla on Friday and attempted suicide with the same drug because he wanted to punish his mistress -- the girl's mother -- for trying to leave him, investigators said."

I cannot adequately express my horror. picked by digitalgimpling 2 years ago

The Supreme Court will consider whether putting them in a park means giving other religions a place in the sun too. When the Supreme Court ruled 46 years ago that official prayers in public schools violated the 1st Amendment, it infuriated those who claimed that public institutions should reflect the fact that this is "one nation, under God" -- the God of the Jewish and Christian Scriptu... read full post picked by doggylives 5 months ago

Nine counts of rape, sex abuse and child abuse — one 7 at the time, and the other 18 months old.

Now considered a "free man" by local police, a week after a judge dismissed his case. picked by mariusz712 1 year ago

Three 13 year old boys charged with rape, their lawyers argue the over weight girl should be "glad of attention" picked by randomthings 1 year ago

Hannah was a happy 13-year-old until she became an 'emo' - part of a sinister teenage craze that romanticizes death. Three months later she hanged herself. Here, her devastated mother tells other parents: No child is safe........ picked by lunasol 4 months ago

A State Supreme Court justice threw out the rape indictment against City Councilman Dennis P. Gallagher this morning, finding that prosecutors had unfairly prejudiced members of the grand jury when presenting the case against him, a lawyer for Mr. Gallagher said. picked by willster09 7 months ago

A child is dead after a house fire in Twin Falls Tuesday afternoon and the little girl’s parents have been charged in connection with the death.

Who the f**k would ever think it would be alright to leave their 2-year-old and 11-month-old children home alone?! picked by muppet 6 months ago

A CT scan of an ancient Egyptian child's mummified body has revealed a spearlike object within the upper spine and skull, but scientists say they do not know whether that is what killed the child. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

They are defying a court ruling and state that they will defend their stance in states other than California as well.
[update to this]
*Use of the Starbucks logo and name does not imply ownership by Plime. Please don't sue them. Or me...I have no money. picked by moe 5 months ago

Texas wants to continue with its scheduled execution of Jose Medellin a Mexican who was in the country illegally brutally raped and murder two young children. The "international court" <oooh!> stated his "rights" were abused. Bush is pandering and demanding that Texas stop their execution. picked by 2manyusernames 11 months ago

Yet another candidate for the death penalty...and yes I feel he should be executed. He was already an RSO for having sex with a 12-year-old girl 8 years ago. picked by moe 5 months ago