Massachusetts court allows life imprisonment for minors , ` ` in many cases , '' to the death penalty . The nation 's highest court said the sentences violated the `` principle of proportionality , and so violate the Eighth Amendment 's ban on cruel and unusual punishment . '' He reasons that it ca n't determine whether a juvenile is ` ` irretrievably depraved '' ' : imposing such sentences violates Eighth Amendment rights .
Massachusetts court allows life imprisonment for minors , ` ` in many cases , '' to the death penalty . He reasons that it ca n't determine whether a juvenile is ` ` irretrievably depraved '' ' : imposing such sentences violates Eighth Amendment rights .