What did Thomson do in Thompson v Oklahoma?

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Thompson v. Oklahoma that mere deterrence is not a valid reason for a jury or judge to sentence a 15-year-old juvenile to the death penalty.

Was William Wayne Thompson executed?

Court Spares Thompson’s Life With a 5–3 decision, the Supreme Court reversed Thompson’s death sentence. Writing for the Court, Justice John Paul Stevens said executing people for childhood crimes is cruel and unusual punishment.

What was the outcome of Thompson v Oklahoma?

Because petitioner was a “child” as a matter of Oklahoma law, the District Attorney filed a statutory petition seeking to have him tried as an adult, which the trial court granted. He was then convicted and sentenced to death, and the Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma affirmed. Held: The judgment is vacated and the case is remanded.

Why was the case of Petitioner v Oklahoma remanded?

Because petitioner was a “child” as a matter of Oklahoma law, the District Attorney filed a statutory petition seeking to have him tried as an adult, which the trial court granted. He was then convicted and sentenced to death, and the Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma affirmed. Held:The judgment is vacated and the case is remanded.

What was the case of Eddings v.oklahoma?

Baird, 443 U.S. 622 : Eddings v. Oklahoma, 455 U.S. 104 . Given this lesser culpability, as well as the teenager’s capacity for growth and society’s fiduciary obligations to its children, the retributive purpose underlying the death penalty is simply inapplicable to the execution of a 15-year-old offender.

How old was Thompson when he was sentenced to death?

Petitioner Thompson was age 15 when he participated in a murder. He was tried as an adult and eventually sentenced to death. The State appeals court affirmed the conviction and sentence. The U.S. Supreme Court, however, vacated the sentence and remanded the case.