Even death penalty supporters ought to hope that the U.S. Supreme Court ends the barbaric practice of executing murderers who killed when they were 16 or 17. The United States is virtually alone in permitting the execution of minors. Only six other nations have allowed it since 1990, and those countries, including Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and China, have practically abandoned using it. Justices have already acknowledged that maturity and mental capacity help determine a legal level of responsibility. They have applied the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment when a killer lacks the ability to understand his or her actions. The high court outlawed executions for those 15 or under when they committed their crimes, and for the mentally retarded. Still, 19 states continue to allow the death penalty for older teenagers. [more
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