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Commonwealth v. Mattis

493 Mass. 216 (2024)

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Commonwealth v. Mattis

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
493 Mass. 216 (2024)

SC

Facts

Sheldon Mattis (defendant) was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Mattis was 18 years old when he committed the crime. Under state law, this sentence was mandatory for individuals 18 years and older. Mattis appealed the sentence, arguing that the mandatory sentence constituted cruel and unusual punishment for individuals under the age of 21.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Budd, C.J.)

Dissent (Lowy, J.)

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Casebooks

Children and Juveniles

Key Terms