The 8th Amendment
By Josh Hoang
8th Amendment
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
8th Amendment Court Case
Christopher Simmons was sentenced to death in 1993, only 17. A series of appeals to state and federal courts lasted until 2002, but each appeal was rejected. Then in 2002, the Missouri Supreme Court stayed Simmon's execution.
8th Amendment Scenario
James Anthony contention was the execution of a mentally retarded man. It was a cruel punishment which violates the 8th amendment. The Court left the states to determine his sentence. The murder happened at midnight, August 21, 1998. It was a two-man robbery and Anthony had shot his partner, Russel Durant. Anthony was sentenced to death in 2002
Bibliography
Freedman, Russell. In Defense of Liberty: The Story of America's Bill of Rights. New York: Holiday House, 2003. Print