Juvenile Sentencing Ruling - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that it was unconstitutional to sentence juveniles to life in prison without the chance of parole, even if they're convicted of murder. The High Court says there should be an option for a judge or jury to consider mitigating circumstances before imposing the harshest possible penalty on those under the age of 18.

"So we're disappointed in that," Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange said.

Strange says he does not agree with the Supreme Court's decision to strike down the mandatory part of juvenile sentencing for capital murder in the Evan Miller Case.

"Mainly because of the impact it had on victims of these horrible crimes committed by these juveniles," Strange said.

In 2006, 14-year-old Evan Miller was convicted of killing a man in Lawrence County and burning his home.

Now Miller is entitled to new sentencing hearing. He could get less than life without parole, but he could still get the exact sentence, something the Lawrence County District Attorney hopes he receives again.

"Life without parole is the only appropriate sentence and it still is. And it's still something that the court can do. And we're hoping that when we get back into that position that's what the court will do," Lawrence County District Attorney Bob Lang said.

One Enterprise resident says there shouldn't be an option for this convicted killed to be released.

"We do have a lot of teenagers now killing people for no reason whatsoever so I feel like if they could pick up a knife or gun or whatever and shot or do somebody, they need to do the time," Enterprise resident Voncile Mack said.

Those in favor of this parole option says child murders are too young to understand the consequences of their actions and deserve the option to have a second chance. This Selma resident agrees.

"They should also have a chance to get on parole and do what's necessary to try to get their life back straight," Selma resident Dasmon Winston said.  

Now there has to be at least one other option for juries to recommend. It's likely that will happen in the Miller sentencing.

"It had to be some discretion, so if you do it on a case-by-case basis, I think it adds a step, but it still I think addresses the problem," Strange said.

The Chief Justice said a life-without-parole term for a juvenile murderer did not violate the ban on cruel and unusual punishments because there was nothing unusual about it.

The High Court's decision is in line with others it has made in the past, when it ruled the death penalty unconstitutional for juveniles. It has also already ruled that life without parole is unconstitutional for young people whose crimes did not involve killing.

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