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Constitutional Law Keyed to Choper
Miller v. Alabama
Citation:
567 U.S. 460 (2012)Facts
Evan Miller, at age 14, along with a friend, went to the trailer of his neighbor, Cole Cannon, where they all smoked marijuana and played drinking games. When Cannon passed out, Miller stole his wallet, but Cannon awoke and grabbed Miller by the throat. Miller’s friend hit Cannon with a baseball bat, after which Miller took the bat and repeatedly struck Cannon. Miller then placed a sheet over Cannon’s head, told him “I am God, I’ve come to take your life,” and delivered one more blow. The boys set fire to the trailer to cover up evidence, and Cannon died from his injuries and smoke inhalation. Miller had a troubled background, including physical abuse by his stepfather, neglect by his alcoholic and drug-addicted mother, and multiple suicide attempts. Despite this background and his age, Alabama law mandated a sentence of life without parole upon his conviction for murder in the course of arson.
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