What did William Wayne Thompson do?
In 1983 15-year-old (William) Wayne Thompson (#135088) was convicted and sentenced to death for killing his ex-brother-in-law who abused his sister, Vickie Mann, and beat him when he tried to protect her. His case made national headlines because he was sentenced to death at such a young age.
What was the constitutional issue the SC was examining in Thompson v Oklahoma?
After noting that the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against “cruel and unusual punishments” applied to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, the Court held that the execution of a person under the age of 16 was unconstitutional.
What was the Court’s decision in Wilkins vs Missouri?
On mandatory review of Wilkins’ death sentence, the Supreme Court of Missouri affirmed, rejecting the argument that the punishment violated the Eighth Amendment. 736 S.W. 2d 409 (1987). We granted certiorari in these cases, 488 U.S. 887, 109 S.
What happened in the Thompson vs Oklahoma case?
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Thompson v. Oklahoma that mere deterrence is not a valid reason for a jury or judge to sentence a 15-year-old juvenile to the death penalty.
What did the Supreme Court hold in Thompson v Oklahoma regarding the execution of juveniles?
Why is Thompson vs Oklahoma important?
Thompson v. Oklahoma, 487 U.S. 815 (1988), was the first case since the moratorium on capital punishment was lifted in the United States in which the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of a minor on grounds of “cruel and unusual punishment.” The holding in Thompson was expanded on by Roper v.
What was the Supreme Court decision in Thompson v Thompson?
Appealed to U.S. Supreme Court, granted writ of certiorari, 479 U.S. 1084 (1987). The Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments forbid imposition of the death penalty on offenders who were under the age of 16 when their crimes were committed. Kennedy took no part in the consideration or decision of the case. U.S. Const. amends. VIII, XIV Thompson v.
Who filed a dissenting opinion in Thompson v Oklahoma?
O’CONNOR, J., filed an opinion concurring in the judgment, post, p. 487 U. S. 848. SCALIA, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which REHNQUIST, C.J., and WHITE, J., joined, post, p. 487 U. S. 859. KENNEDY, J., took no part in the consideration or decision of the case. Thompson v. Oklahoma, 487 U.S. 815 (1988) Thompson v. Oklahoma
What happened in the case of Simmons v Thompson?
Simmons (2005), where the Supreme Court extended the “evolving standards” rationale to those under 18 years old. William Wayne Thompson was a 15-year-old repeat offender from Grady County, Oklahoma. His sister, Vicki, was married to Charles Keene, who was accused of beating Vicki and William.
Did Thompson understand the difference between right and wrong?
A clinical psychologist who had examined Thompson testified at the second hearing that, in her opinion, Thompson understood the difference between right and wrong, but had an antisocial personality that could not be modified by the juvenile justice system.