Michigan Justices Examine Life Sentences for Young Murderers

More than two years after saying that life-without-parole sentences for 18-year-olds convicted of first-degree murder are unconstitutional, the Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday considered whether that abolition should extend to 19- and 20-year-olds.

In two cases before the court about these slightly-older defendants—along with science that says the human brain doesn’t fully develop until people are in their mid-20s—the justices pushed attorneys on both sides on what age would be appropriate for a mandatory life sentence to be imposed.

“Is this something that you can even really try to attempt to draw bright line rules on at all?” Justice Richard ...