Schuette slams federal judge's order to give Michigan juveniles a chance for parole
Source: Detroit Free Press
A federal judge today ordered that Michigan juveniles sentenced to life in prison should have a shot at parole, concluding that such punishments have already been declared “cruel and unusual” and that the state needs to adhere to that philosophy.
The ruling raised the hopes of some 350-plus inmates sentenced to life as juveniles in Michigan, but irked victims- rights advocates who believe the order unfairly punishes victims all over again.
“In every case where a juvenile is sentenced to life in prison, a victim was already sentenced to death — forever,” Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said through a spokesperson today, noting he opposes “re-victimizing these families through unneccesary hearings.”
Schuette is referring to parole hearings mandated by U.S. District Judge John O’Meara, who issued the ruling and gave the state of Michigan until Jan. 31 to come up with a plan on how to deal with the so-called juvenile lifers. O’Meara, who ordered that all juvenile lifers must be provided a "fair, meaningful and realistic" opportunity for parole, deferred to the U.S. Supreme Court in explaining his position.
Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20131126/NEWS06/311260113/Federal-judge-John-O-Meara-says-Michigan-must-give-juvenile-lifers-chance-at-parole
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