Montgomery v. Louisiana

577 U.S. 190 136 S.Ct. 718 (2016)

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Montgomery v. Louisiana

United States Supreme Court
577 U.S. 190 136 S.Ct. 718 (2016)

SC
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Facts

Henry Montgomery (defendant) killed Charles Hurt when Montgomery was 17 years old. The State of Louisiana (plaintiff) convicted Montgomery of the killing and sentenced him to life in prison without parole. Montgomery’s circumstances as a juvenile were not considered in his sentencing. Subsequently, the Supreme Court held in Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. 460 (2012), that a juvenile convicted of homicide could not be sentenced to life without parole without first considering the juvenile’s special circumstances. Montgomery filed a collateral motion challenging his sentence, arguing that Miller should apply retroactively. The trial court denied the motion. The Louisiana Supreme Court denied Montgomery’s application for a supervisory writ. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Kennedy, J.)

Dissent (Thomas, J.)

Dissent (Scalia, J.)

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