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Supreme Court Raises Eligible Age for Death Penalty

The Supreme Court abolishes executions for homicides committed when the perpetrator was a juvenile. The 5-4 ruling throws out laws in 20 states, and death sentences against dozens of murderers who were under 18 when they committed their crimes.

Copyright 2005 NPR

Nina Totenberg is NPR's award-winning legal affairs correspondent. Her reports air regularly on NPR's critically acclaimed newsmagazines All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition.