Teens and Murder

If it's proper — morally — to execute a duly convicted 18-year-old murderer, why should a 17-year-old who commits a similar offense be spared? It's a question at least four of the Supreme Court's justices should ask themselves as they continue to push for the abolition of capital punishment for juvenile offenders. Justices John Paul Stevens, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and David Souter this week formally stated their opposition to the execution of criminals under the …showed first 75 words of 475 total…

…showed last 75 words of 475 total…majority highlights the importance of the pending congressional elections, the outcome of which will either make it easier or harder for Mr. Bush to secure the necessary backing he needs to make sound judicial appointments. Several of the court's justices are elderly or frail, and the issue of a new appointment could easily come up during the next couple of years. It's just another good reason to pay attention this election season — and to vote.