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At the age of 17, Christopher Simmons was sentenced to death. Then after multiple appeals to state and federal courts, the Missouri supreme court stayed with the execution of Simmon's death

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After the decision of Atkins vs. Virginia, executing the mentally ill was ruled as violating the 8th and 14th amendment. Due to this decision and the people's backlash of unfair punishments, the Missouri Supreme Court reconsidered Simmon's case.

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5-4 decision, the execution of minors was considered a cruel punishment.

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The majority of the court ruled that the execution of minors was wrong and cruel.

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Justice O'Conner didn't agree with the majority's vote. He believes that even the people at 17 or 18 years old should pay for the crimes that they have committed.