The two teenagers from Iowa that were given life sentences for first-degree murder have been given a lighter fate recently, due to a decision by the Iowa Court of Appeals. They overturned the life sentences that were given, stating it was "cruel and unusual punishment."
Christine Lockheart and Thomas Bennet, both convicted of first degree murder in, respectively, 1985 and 1998, are to be resentenced according to the Iowa Court of Appeals, who believes it unnecessary to give minors a life sentence.
Lockheart was convicted of stabbing a retired bus driver in 1985. Bennett was convicted of shooting a disabled man in 1998.
According to thegazette.com, the Iowa Court of Appeals did not rule against trying and convicting juvenile offenders, but it did make the courts consider all of the factors that could influence the actions of the juvenile that committed the crime.
There was no specification about whether or not the ruling applied to those already convicted, but the appeals have come in for offenders that have been sentenced to life without parole.
Lockheart and Bennett were the first two sentences overturned according to the recent ruling, and more may be to come, according to the circumstances that will be reviewed. More appeals have been made due to the ruling.
There are a total of 38 prisoners in Iowa serving life sentences without parole that were convicted as juveniles. They ranged from age 14 to 17 when they were tried and convicted as adults for various offenses. Only two have not yet appealed their sentences due to the new ruling.
Christine Lockheart and Thomas Bennet, both convicted of first degree murder in, respectively, 1985 and 1998, are to be resentenced according to the Iowa Court of Appeals, who believes it unnecessary to give minors a life sentence.
Lockheart was convicted of stabbing a retired bus driver in 1985. Bennett was convicted of shooting a disabled man in 1998.
According to thegazette.com, the Iowa Court of Appeals did not rule against trying and convicting juvenile offenders, but it did make the courts consider all of the factors that could influence the actions of the juvenile that committed the crime.
There was no specification about whether or not the ruling applied to those already convicted, but the appeals have come in for offenders that have been sentenced to life without parole.
Lockheart and Bennett were the first two sentences overturned according to the recent ruling, and more may be to come, according to the circumstances that will be reviewed. More appeals have been made due to the ruling.
There are a total of 38 prisoners in Iowa serving life sentences without parole that were convicted as juveniles. They ranged from age 14 to 17 when they were tried and convicted as adults for various offenses. Only two have not yet appealed their sentences due to the new ruling.
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