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Roper V. Simmons Case Of 2005

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Introduction

In response to question one of unit 4, I will discuss the facts, issues, as well as court holdings referencing the Roper v. Simmons case of 2005.

Discussion

The Roper v. Simmons case is noted for being one of the most significant cases in the history of the juvenile court system as it abolished capital punishment for offenders under the age of eighteen in the United States (Death Penalty Information Center, n.d.). This case was argued on October 13, 2004, and a decision was reached by the United States Supreme Court on March 1, 2005. The case referenced the sentencing of Christopher Simmons to death for a crime he committed at the age of seventeen (Cornell University Law School, n.d.). In 1993, Christopher Simmons conspired …show more content…

The remaining two, Christopher Simmons and Charles Benjamin, followed through by reaching through an open window to unlock the door of the home of Shirley Crook. It was later uncovered, Shirley Crook and Christopher Simmons had been involved in a motor vehicle accident some time before that night. Christopher Simmons’ testimony indicated once recognized Shirley Crook it reaffirmed his desire to murder her. The two friends bond Shirley Crook’s hands with duct tape then covered her mouth and eyes prior to placing her into the back of her van and driving to a state park. The two guided Shirley Crook to a railroad spanning the Meramec River where they further bond her with electrical tape, a towel, and additional duct tape before pushing her off the bridge to the waters below. The body of Shirley Crook was found later in the day having drowned in the …show more content…

All three were initially charged in connection with the incident, consequently, the conspiracy charge against John Tessmer was dropped in exchange for his testimony. The charges of burglary, theft, kidnapping, as well as murder were taken against both Christopher Simmons and Charles Benjamin. The Miranda Rights were explained to Christopher Simmons prior to the interview with the law enforcement investigators, he waived his right to counsel then confessed to the crime. At trial the prosecution presented the confession along with a video of Christopher Simmons reenacting the crime. The jury returned with a guilty verdict for the charge of murder in the first degree. The sentencing trial followed soon after where Christopher Simmons was sentenced to the death penalty for the heinous act he had carried

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