The Supreme Court mistakenly refused to hear a case regarding
the use of the death penalty against minors Monday despite four
justices being staunchly opposed to the practice. Twenty-two states
consider juveniles eligible for the death penalty when they are 16
or 17.
The death penalty is cruel by nature, but applying it to minors
is especially troubling ““ and unusual.
Sixteen and 17-year-olds are simply too young to be put to
death. At their young age, they are still largely dependent on
their parents, and have not finished their emotional and
psychological development. Because of this, there is too much
potential for reform to put these citizens to death. Extensive
psychological treatment and education can help troubled youths
eventually become productive, non-violent citizens. Putting people
to death is an absolutist, irreversible punishment allowing for no
correction of wrong verdicts; it treats troubled people as
inconveniences rather than social problems in need of address.
The Supreme Court ruled the mentally retarded cannot be put to
death earlier this year because they do not have a comprehensive
concept of the ramifications of their actions. This time around,
the high court failed to realize teenagers’ undeveloped
psyches put them in a similar situation ““ and they should be
given the same protections.