Nev. Considers Bill to Ban Juvenile Death Penalty
Hearings were held in Nevada yesterday on a bill to ban the death penalty for those who were 16 or 17 at the time of their crimes.
That means they will spend an eternity in prison, and not be relieved from their actions until death," said Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas. "The death penalty is not a deterrent, especially with youthful offenders who don't think further than today, let alone think about the consequences."
Giunchigliani said young teens are not as mentally developed as adults and so should not be subjected to the ultimate penalty. "There is now clear biological evidence that adolescents do not have the same ability as adults to make sound decisions and to prevent impulsive behavior," she said.
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